Abu Dhabi, May 9 (IANS): The Abu Dhabi Film Festival has been scrapped after eight editions during which the event gradually earned a significant spot on the international circuit.

The fest's Sanad film fund for Arab films in development and post-production is still in place and hopefully will remain so, reports variety.com.

"In a refocusing of its film activities to reflect the rapid growth in the region, Media Zone Authority has announced that the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) is being brought to a close in order to focus on future targeted initiatives to further support local and Arab filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi," the festival's spokesperson said.

A further announcement is expected soon explaining what that next phase will entail.

The Abu Dhabi Media Zone anticipates injecting over AED 400 million ($108.8 million) into the UAE economy through direct spending in the country on film and television production and jobs creation.

Sources say the government-funded Media Zone will introduce a hefty film fund to attract more international productions here, which had lured shoots of the latest "Fast & Furious" and "Star Wars" instalments through their 30 percent cash-back rebate.

The absence of Abu Dhabi on the Arab film festival calendar is likely to become a blow for Arab producers and will strengthen the roles as Arab cinema drivers of the Dubai festival and also of the Cairo Film Festival which is being relaunched.

"It's going to have an impact for us," said prominent Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy, an Abu Dhabi festival aficionado and co-producer of director Ali F. Mostafa's road movie "From A to B" which opened Abu Dhabi last year.

"Festival growth in the region is in reverse at a time when there are more Arab films being made. Something felt special about the programming at Abu Dhabi. Those people will really be missed; they really had the best selection," Hefzy added.