The Gulf Film Festival has been postponed just over a week before it was set to launch.

The week-long event has brought the finest Arab films to Dubai’s screens since 2008, helping develop film in the Gulf by screening new work by Arab filmmakers.

However, on the morning of April 1, it was announced that this year’s installment would not be running and no rescheduled date had been confirmed.

The statement read: “We regret to inform you that the seventh edition of The Gulf Film Festival which was scheduled to run from 9th – 15th April, 2014 has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We would like to thank friends and partners of the Festival for their continuous support and we will announce the new Festival dates in due course.”

Below is a selection of films that had been expected to feature. We will have more information on any new dates just as soon as we can.

The Mulberry House
Scottish-Yemeni director Sara Ishaq tells the personal tale of her return to her father’s home in Yemen after several years away.

Ten Years Of My Life
From Iraq, Khalid Alzhraou’s documentary follows the lives of Iraqi women of different religions and ethnicities over ten years from Saddam Hussein’s 2003 downfall.

Whispers Of The Cities 
Shot over ten years in three cities in Palestine, Kurdistan and Iraq, director Kasim Abid explores the resilience of people embroiled in war.

SHORTS
The Neighbour
Homegrown talent Nayla Al Khaja’s moving tale depicts an anorexic girl starting a new life in Dubai, her isolation eased by a simple human act from a neighbor.

The Lost Voice
Winner of Best Film in the Muhr Short Competition at DIFF, Bavi Yassin’s movie follows Salma, a famous Iraqi singer forced to flee her homeland.

Cholo
When their father leaves Zanzibar for Muscat, dark-skinned 11-year-old Cholo meets his fair-skinned brother Abdullah for the first time. The chemistry between the two boys carries this film by Omani director Muzna Almusafer.

Don’t Leave Me
Winner of Best Film in the DIFF Muhr Emirati competition, Khalid Al Mahmood’s movie sees two girls who were once childhood friends meeting as adults under unfortunate circumstances.