Awards & Jury - Dubai Film Festival

Golden Dunes Awards

The Golden Dunes Awards recognize outstanding talent in filmmaking.

Categories include:

Best Feature Film

Best Short Film

Best Documentary

Best Animation

Best AI-Short film

Best AI-Commercial

Best AI-Music Video

Best Experimental

Best Student Film

Best Arab Film

Best Director

Best Actor & Actress

Best Cinematography

Best Editing

Best Sound Design

Best Score

Meet the Jury

Our distinguished panel of judges includes acclaimed directors, producers, and industry experts.

ALI ZAMANI

Ali is a film director and founder of AZ Filmz, known for his visually striking films and music videos. He has directed over 300 music videos for artists like Snoop Dogg and Enrique Iglesias and worked on commercials for major brands. Zamani has directed eight feature films, including Opus of an Angel and Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace (starring Cuba Gooding Jr.), which became a #1 hit on Amazon Prime in 2024. He continues to push creative boundaries in film and media.

ZEUS ZAMANI

Zeus is a seasoned producer and entertainment executive with over 17 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production. He has produced and distributed over 50 feature films, including Murder at the Embassy and No Vacancy, as well as the crime drama series Cypher on The Roku Channel. Beyond film, he has produced over 200 music videos for top artists like Enrique Iglesias, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Chris Brown and worked on major commercial campaigns for brands like Kia, Samsung, and Starbucks. His recent work includes the action/sci-fi film Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace, which topped Amazon Prime Video in 2024.

SCOTT ANTHONY GOULD

Scott has been a staple of the Hollywood independent film community doing sound for the last decade. He launched his company “Surreal Post Sound” in 2016 and has gone on to become heavily respected in the industry. Working as the Supervising Sound Editor he has done it all. Feature films, TV, commercials, documentaries, reality TV and even onset sound mixing. In his off time, he likes a Cappuccino.

SCOTT CARLSON

Scott, two-time Emmy winner, comes from an industry family. He is a second generation Hollywood executive, with an extensive background as a producer and manager with experience to take a project from its infancy to the screen. For more 20 years, Scott has been a talent manager, involved with over 150 clients during that span, and involved in 300+ projects including TV, Film and Music. His industry focus is not only representing experienced talent in front and behind the camera, but also giving opportunities to rising talent, who lean on his expertise to navigate the industry.

ARTHUR GUBIN

Arthur is an award-winning cinematographer and author based in Los Angeles, specializing in commercials, music videos, and narrative films. He has shot numerous campaigns for top brands like Samsung, Toyota, Meta, Levi’s, and VOGUE, while also collaborating on music videos with leading American artists. His narrative and documentary work includes projects featuring talents such as Emma Myers, Denis Richard, Oliver Stone, and Eric Roberts, showcasing his versatility and cinematic vision.

GREG McKARUS

Greg is an award-winning Editor from Los Angeles, CA, with a passion for storytelling through editing and color grading. With three Telly Awards to his name, he has worked on television shows, short-form documentaries, and films, creating powerful visuals that bring meaning to every story. As the founder of Locked Cut Studios, Inc., Greg is committed to delivering exceptional, visually compelling work that continues to inspire audiences around the world.

ADELLE NAZARIAN

Adelle Nazarian is a globally recognized journalist, documentary filmmaker, geopolitical consultant and entrepreneur with an extensive international career spanning broadcast, print, and digital platforms. She has appeared on major networks including CNN, Fox News, Newsmax, and OANN, covering geopolitics, national security, human rights, and technology. Adelle has interviewed world leaders and reported from global hotspots, gaining a reputation for delivering high-impact stories with insight and integrity. She recently launched The Other View Podcast. Her work bridges East and West, and she continues to shape conversations at the intersection of media, politics, and innovation on a global scale.

LIZ RODRIGUEZ

Liz Rodriguez, founder of EMR Media, is an award-winning publicist and global marketing strategist with over 120 film credits. A BAFTA member fluent in Spanish, Liz is based between Los Angeles and London, with a strong international presence. She specializes in guaranteed press placements, red carpet events, brand development, and film packaging, serving clients across entertainment, publishing, and global business. Her work has been featured in major outlets like Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and E! News. Liz has led publicity for icons like Oliver Stone and top-tier events at Cannes, Sundance, AFM, and more across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and beyond