The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is poised to play a significant role in the international film industry, a leading English daily here said.

"In its efforts to promote the arts and cultural activity, the UAE has shown a keen interest recently in the film-making industry," the Gulf news said in an editorial.

With the release of the Oscar nominations, it has been brought to the spotlight that "The Help" which got four Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture, was co-produced by Abu Dhabi's Image Nation, the daily said.

The accolades come at a time when the UAE has never received any recognition in the Academy Awards.

"Hopefully, 'The Help' will change that record," the newspaper said.

With media production zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the UAE is also well poised to play a significant role in the development of a "meaningful" film industry in the Middle East, it said.

--IANS/WAM

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