The Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) today unveiled an illustrious roster of respected film industry professionals who will serve as jury members for the 2009 Middle East International Film Festival. Comprised of some of the most prominent names in global cinema today, the MEIFF 2009 juries bring added prestige to what is already one of the most ground-breaking film programs ever assembled in the region.

The much anticipated Narrative Feature Competition will be spearheaded by internationally acclaimed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry); celebrated documentary filmmaker James Longley (Iraq in Fragments) will lead the Documentary Feature Competition Jury while Yousry Nasrallah (whose Scheheherzade, Tell me a Story will be presented as a festival Gala), will serve as President of the Shorts Competition Jury.

"It's gratifying that some of the leading names in international filmmaking have agreed to participate in the difficult but rewarding work of determining which of our outstanding entries will walk away with some of the most generous prizes any festival offers. In this task, we're happy that they'll be joined by some new talents as well," said Peter Scarlet, MEIFF Executive Director.

MEIFF’s three juries are comprised of some of the top global filmmakers, over half of whom are from the Arab world. Additional countries represented include Canada, China, India, Iran, and the United States.

Jurors include four-time Golden Horse winner Joan Chen, Tunisian actress Hend Sabri, Indian producer Sunil Doshi and Egyptian writer-director, Mohamed Khan. The full list of participants can be found below:

Narrative Feature Competition
Abbas Kiarostami, Director (President)
Joan Chen, Actress
Sunil Doshi, Producer
Mohamed Khan, Director
Nayla Al Khaja, Director
Michael Fitzgerald, Producer

Documentary Feature Competition
James Longley, Director (President)
Gonzalo Arijón, Director
Joslyn Barnes, Producer
Rashid Masharawi, Producer/Director
Hend Sabri, Actress

Shorts Competition
Yousry Nasrallah, Director (President)
Deepa Mehta, Director
Gary Meyer, Festival Director
Menna Shalabi, Actress
Chadi Zeneddine, Director