Dubai exists as a cultural mirage. From a distance, the city surface offers a shimmering landscape of artistic and cultural possibility. But what hides behind this alluring flash? Can a city of perceived artificiality support a vibrant cultural scene and a thriving art market?

The feature-length documentary Cultural Capital: Finding Art in Dubai examines this paradox. The film chronicles the Dubai art fair season with a particular focus on Art Dubai, the city’s signature contemporary art event. Art Dubai and its satellite fairs bring over a billion dollars to the city. After the glitz of Art Dubai dissipates, what happens to the artists and the art? After the dust settles on the spectacular events of Art Dubai, what happens to the collectors who visit them, the artists who support them, and the workers who build them? Cultural Capital searches for the artistic wealth of Dubai in the build up and dismantling of such cultural events.