'Monsieur Lazhar' to open Abu Dhabi

LONDON -- The fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival is set to open with Philippe Falardeau's "Monsieur Lazhar," toplining Mohamed Fellag, Emilien Neron and Sophie Nelisse, on Oct. 13. Pic follows the tale of an Algerian immigrant, who is hired to replace an elementary school teacher who tragically died. Additionally, this year's fest will include eight world preems: Abdolreza Kahani's "Absolutely Tame as a Horse," Sam Neave's "Almost in Love," Amr Salama's "Asma'a," Michael Brandt's "The Double," Safinez Bousbia's "El Gusto," Nawaf Al-Janahi's "Sea Shadow," Timothy Greene's "Skeem" and Pedro P. Rosado's "Wilaya." Competitions in this year's edition will offer cash prizes totalling $1 million. Narrative, New Horizons, Documentary, Our World Competition and the Showcase strand will all offer up cash to winners. Venice and Toronto fest pics such as "Albert Nobbs," "Contagion" and "The Ides of March" will screen in the Showcase section, while titles in the Narrative Feature section include "Chicken With Plums," from "Persepolis" duo Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi, David Cronenburg's "A Dangerous Method" and Oren Moverman's "Rampart." The festival runs Oct. 13-22. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

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