Exclusive: Emirati-British filmmaker Ali F. Mostafa has revealed he is developing a new feature spinning off his 2009 breakout debut City Of Life.
Revolving around three characters from different walks of life in Mostafa’s home city of Dubai, the original was a local breakout hit in the U.A.E. in 2009 and it remains one of the territory’s best-known films, both at home and internationally.
“I felt it was time to make a sequel because I started realizing how Dubai has changed so much. From 2009 to where we are today, not only is Dubai structurally, and physically changed, but when you go out you feel it has changed,” said Mostafa.
“It’s a lot more populated. We’re a lot more open to things we weren’t open to before. The region’s changed. There is less censorship in certain areas.”
The director, who is signed with talent agency UTA,...
Revolving around three characters from different walks of life in Mostafa’s home city of Dubai, the original was a local breakout hit in the U.A.E. in 2009 and it remains one of the territory’s best-known films, both at home and internationally.
“I felt it was time to make a sequel because I started realizing how Dubai has changed so much. From 2009 to where we are today, not only is Dubai structurally, and physically changed, but when you go out you feel it has changed,” said Mostafa.
“It’s a lot more populated. We’re a lot more open to things we weren’t open to before. The region’s changed. There is less censorship in certain areas.”
The director, who is signed with talent agency UTA,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Image Nation Abu Dhabi has inked a multi-picture deal with Los Angeles-based Spooky Pictures, and set up-and-coming director Chloe Okuno’s psychological thriller “Watcher” as the slate’s first title.
Spooky Pictures, which is the low-budget genre label recently formed by producers Roy Lee (“The Ring”) and Steven Schneider (“Pet Sematary”), and the Abu Dhabi outfit with deep pockets announced that “Watcher,” which involves a serial killer who prompts a citywide panic, is currently being cast in preparation for an April shoot.
In the pic, scripted by Zack Ford, a young woman moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building, according to promotional materials.
“The Watcher” will be produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Mason Novick, and John Finemore, in addition to Lee and Schneider. Marc Bienstock, Derek Dauchy, and Stuart Manashil will executive produce.
Spooky Pictures, which is the low-budget genre label recently formed by producers Roy Lee (“The Ring”) and Steven Schneider (“Pet Sematary”), and the Abu Dhabi outfit with deep pockets announced that “Watcher,” which involves a serial killer who prompts a citywide panic, is currently being cast in preparation for an April shoot.
In the pic, scripted by Zack Ford, a young woman moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building, according to promotional materials.
“The Watcher” will be produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Mason Novick, and John Finemore, in addition to Lee and Schneider. Marc Bienstock, Derek Dauchy, and Stuart Manashil will executive produce.
- 3/2/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Three-year production deal aims for one genre film a year.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi has struck a production deal with veteran producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider on a slate of high-concept, modestly- budgeted English-language genre films.
The goal is for the projects to demonstrate broad international appeal and franchise potential and make at least one film a year that Image Nation will fully finance. The parties declined to reveal titles.
The deal reunites Schneider with Image Nation after their recent collaboration on Ali F. Mostafa’s dystopian thriller The Worthy, set to debut worldwide this month on Netflix after it became the streaming service’s first acquisition in the UAE.Schneider produced with Peter Safran and Rami Yasin.
Lee and Schneider helped launch genre franchises including The Ring, Paranormal Activity, Insidious and The Grudge.
Besides The Worthy, Image Nation’s regional genre credits encompass Djinn, Majid Al Ansari’s debut feature Rattle The Cage (Zinzana).
Schneider...
Image Nation Abu Dhabi has struck a production deal with veteran producers Roy Lee and Steven Schneider on a slate of high-concept, modestly- budgeted English-language genre films.
The goal is for the projects to demonstrate broad international appeal and franchise potential and make at least one film a year that Image Nation will fully finance. The parties declined to reveal titles.
The deal reunites Schneider with Image Nation after their recent collaboration on Ali F. Mostafa’s dystopian thriller The Worthy, set to debut worldwide this month on Netflix after it became the streaming service’s first acquisition in the UAE.Schneider produced with Peter Safran and Rami Yasin.
Lee and Schneider helped launch genre franchises including The Ring, Paranormal Activity, Insidious and The Grudge.
Besides The Worthy, Image Nation’s regional genre credits encompass Djinn, Majid Al Ansari’s debut feature Rattle The Cage (Zinzana).
Schneider...
- 5/16/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
This year’s Dubai International Film Festival (Diff, December 7-14) will open with John Madden’s political thriller Miss Sloane and close with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Starring Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane revolves around a ruthless lobbyist in Washington DC. Lucasfilm’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards, opens in UAE theatres on December 15.
Celebrating its 13th edition this year, Diff will screen 156 films from 55 countries, including 57 world and international premieres, 73 Mena premieres, 12 Middle East premieres and 9 Gcc premieres.
Red carpet galas at Diff include the world premiere of Aditya Chopra’s Befikre; Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; Swallows And Amazons, Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa’s third feature The Worthy; and Lone Scherfig’s romantic comedy Their Finest, starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin.
Diff’s Beach Screenings include Jordan Robert’s Burn Your Maps, starring Vera Farmiga and Jacob Tremblay; Michaël Dudok de Wit...
Starring Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane revolves around a ruthless lobbyist in Washington DC. Lucasfilm’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, directed by Gareth Edwards, opens in UAE theatres on December 15.
Celebrating its 13th edition this year, Diff will screen 156 films from 55 countries, including 57 world and international premieres, 73 Mena premieres, 12 Middle East premieres and 9 Gcc premieres.
Red carpet galas at Diff include the world premiere of Aditya Chopra’s Befikre; Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; Swallows And Amazons, Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa’s third feature The Worthy; and Lone Scherfig’s romantic comedy Their Finest, starring Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy and Sam Claflin.
Diff’s Beach Screenings include Jordan Robert’s Burn Your Maps, starring Vera Farmiga and Jacob Tremblay; Michaël Dudok de Wit...
- 11/23/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Rattle The Cage director Majid Al Ansari [pictured] will be an executive producer on the projects.
Middle East-based production outfit Image Nation Abu Dhabi plans to begin production on three feature projects in the final quarter of 2016.
All three films will shoot on location in the UAE and Oman. The first of which, comedy On Borrowed Time, will commence principle photography next month in Dubai.
The second film, body-switch comedy Rashid & Rajib, is set to shoot in November, and the final film, Scales, a dark drama about mermaids, will film in early 2017.
Film-maker Majid Al Ansari will be an executive producer on each of the projects. His 2015 crime thriller Rattle The Cage (Zinzana) was Netflix’s first UAE acquisition.
Image Nation’s recent projects include Ali Mostafa’s UAE thriller The Worthy and legal drama television series Justice. The company was also a producer on the Mark Wahlberg-starring disaster film Deepwater Horizon, which premiered...
Middle East-based production outfit Image Nation Abu Dhabi plans to begin production on three feature projects in the final quarter of 2016.
All three films will shoot on location in the UAE and Oman. The first of which, comedy On Borrowed Time, will commence principle photography next month in Dubai.
The second film, body-switch comedy Rashid & Rajib, is set to shoot in November, and the final film, Scales, a dark drama about mermaids, will film in early 2017.
Film-maker Majid Al Ansari will be an executive producer on each of the projects. His 2015 crime thriller Rattle The Cage (Zinzana) was Netflix’s first UAE acquisition.
Image Nation’s recent projects include Ali Mostafa’s UAE thriller The Worthy and legal drama television series Justice. The company was also a producer on the Mark Wahlberg-starring disaster film Deepwater Horizon, which premiered...
- 9/15/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Image Nation Abu Dhabi, one of the leading media and entertainment companies in the Arabic-speaking world, came onboard Hany Abu-Assad’s "The Idol" during the film’s final postproduction phase.
"The Idol" will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival today in the Special Presentations section.
Directed by acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad ("Paradise Now," "Omar"), "The Idol" tells the inspirational true life story of Mohammad Assaf, a wedding singer from Gaza who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol in 2013.
Read More: Tiff Films from African and the Middle East
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation said: “Hany Abu-Assad is one of the Arab region’s most gifted filmmakers and we greatly admire his work. Image Nation’s decision to join the project at this stage is a validation of the quality of that work. Not only is this a great team, but it’s a great film and we are thrilled to be part of it. ”
Added Abu-Assad: “This is the first time I’ve worked with Image Nation and I am very happy with our first collaboration on 'The Idol.' I hope this film will mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
"The Idol" is one of Image Nation’s two high-profile screenings at Toronto Film Festival, which will feature the highly-anticipated feature documentary "He Named Me Malala," directed by Academy Award®-winner Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth"). The film is being released by Fox Searchlight, in association with Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Participant Media, and National Geographic Channel. The documentary was produced by Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald under their long-term partnership with Image Nation.
"The Idol" will then be showcased at BFI London Film Festival, where Image Nation will be celebrating the European premieres of three other titles – "He Named Me Malala," Majid Al Ansari’s "Zinzana" and Ali Mostafa’s "From A to B."
Garin added: “Image Nation is starting the festival season strong with notable lineups at Toronto Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. It’s a particular high point for us to be able to bring the work of two gifted Emirati filmmakers to international audiences, and it’s a testament to the rapid development of our narrative and documentary slates.”
Read More: SydneysBuzz' Tiff's Feature Films Report Available Now!
"The Idol" has already made an impact in the market. Seville Sales is handling international rights to the film outside the Middle East and has already closed a number of deals in over 20 territories including France (TF1), Germany (Koch), Japan (New Select), Australia (Umbrella), Latin America (California Filmes), China (Beijing Xiangjiang YiHua Films), Hong Kong (Edko), India (PVR), Taiwan (Spring International), and South Korea (Kaon Contents & Media). Mbc is releasing in the Middle East and North Africa through its 03 production arm. EOne will distribute in Spain. U.S. rights are still available.
"The Idol" will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival today in the Special Presentations section.
Directed by acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad ("Paradise Now," "Omar"), "The Idol" tells the inspirational true life story of Mohammad Assaf, a wedding singer from Gaza who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol in 2013.
Read More: Tiff Films from African and the Middle East
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation said: “Hany Abu-Assad is one of the Arab region’s most gifted filmmakers and we greatly admire his work. Image Nation’s decision to join the project at this stage is a validation of the quality of that work. Not only is this a great team, but it’s a great film and we are thrilled to be part of it. ”
Added Abu-Assad: “This is the first time I’ve worked with Image Nation and I am very happy with our first collaboration on 'The Idol.' I hope this film will mark the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
"The Idol" is one of Image Nation’s two high-profile screenings at Toronto Film Festival, which will feature the highly-anticipated feature documentary "He Named Me Malala," directed by Academy Award®-winner Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth"). The film is being released by Fox Searchlight, in association with Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Participant Media, and National Geographic Channel. The documentary was produced by Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald under their long-term partnership with Image Nation.
"The Idol" will then be showcased at BFI London Film Festival, where Image Nation will be celebrating the European premieres of three other titles – "He Named Me Malala," Majid Al Ansari’s "Zinzana" and Ali Mostafa’s "From A to B."
Garin added: “Image Nation is starting the festival season strong with notable lineups at Toronto Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival. It’s a particular high point for us to be able to bring the work of two gifted Emirati filmmakers to international audiences, and it’s a testament to the rapid development of our narrative and documentary slates.”
Read More: SydneysBuzz' Tiff's Feature Films Report Available Now!
"The Idol" has already made an impact in the market. Seville Sales is handling international rights to the film outside the Middle East and has already closed a number of deals in over 20 territories including France (TF1), Germany (Koch), Japan (New Select), Australia (Umbrella), Latin America (California Filmes), China (Beijing Xiangjiang YiHua Films), Hong Kong (Edko), India (PVR), Taiwan (Spring International), and South Korea (Kaon Contents & Media). Mbc is releasing in the Middle East and North Africa through its 03 production arm. EOne will distribute in Spain. U.S. rights are still available.
- 5/2/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Exclusive: The end of the world looks pretty terrifying in any language if The Worthy is anything to go by. Image Nation Abu Dhabi might just have its biggest local-language hit to date judging by this sizzle reel for Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s The Worthy. Set in a dystopian future which has been plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage, the story follows a small group of survivors seeking refuge with the only clean remaining water source in the area. When…...
- 1/7/2016
- Deadline
Abu Dhabi film company Image Nation gave a sneak peak of Emirati director Ali Mostafa’s upcoming feature The Worthy, set in a dystopian future in chaos following a chronic water shortage, at Diff on Sunday.
“I think it’s safe to describe it as the Arab world’s first post-apocalyptic feature,” said Mostafa [pictured] who was joined at a news conference by Image Nation’s head of narrative Ben Ross and producer Rami Yasin.
A short trailer showed a fast-paced high-octane work set in a derelict world reduced to rubble in which everyone has to fight for survival.
It is Mostafa’s third film after his breakthrough title City Of Life and pan-Arab road movie From A To B. The director said the decision to shoot an action thriller was in keeping with his long-term aim to shoot a variety of genres.
“As a filmmaker, it’s always been important to me to be as diverse as possible...
“I think it’s safe to describe it as the Arab world’s first post-apocalyptic feature,” said Mostafa [pictured] who was joined at a news conference by Image Nation’s head of narrative Ben Ross and producer Rami Yasin.
A short trailer showed a fast-paced high-octane work set in a derelict world reduced to rubble in which everyone has to fight for survival.
It is Mostafa’s third film after his breakthrough title City Of Life and pan-Arab road movie From A To B. The director said the decision to shoot an action thriller was in keeping with his long-term aim to shoot a variety of genres.
“As a filmmaker, it’s always been important to me to be as diverse as possible...
- 12/14/2015
- ScreenDaily
The 59Th BFI London Film Festival Announces Full 2015 Programme
You can peruse the programme at your leisure here.
The programme for the 59th BFI London Film Festival in partnership launched today, with Festival Director Clare Stewart presenting this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events. BFI London Film Festival is Britain’s leading film event and one of the world’s oldest film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience. The Festival provides an essential platform for films seeking global success; and promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes. With this year’s industry programme stronger than ever, offering international filmmakers and leaders a programme of insightful events covering every area of the film industry Lff positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
The Festival will screen a...
You can peruse the programme at your leisure here.
The programme for the 59th BFI London Film Festival in partnership launched today, with Festival Director Clare Stewart presenting this year’s rich and diverse selection of films and events. BFI London Film Festival is Britain’s leading film event and one of the world’s oldest film festivals. It introduces the finest new British and international films to an expanding London and UK-wide audience. The Festival provides an essential platform for films seeking global success; and promotes the careers of British and international filmmakers through its industry and awards programmes. With this year’s industry programme stronger than ever, offering international filmmakers and leaders a programme of insightful events covering every area of the film industry Lff positions London as the world’s leading creative city.
The Festival will screen a...
- 9/1/2015
- by John
- SoundOnSight
The biggest deals of this year’s Cannes Marché du Film and how the Competition titles sold throughout the festival.
Behind the glamour of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, business was booming at the Marché du Film (May 13-22), with representatives from 120 countries in attendance - up four on 2014.
A total 3,300 films were on offer this year, around 1,000 at the project stage, with an estimated 11,000 film professionals in attendance, in line with last year.
In the opening days, Marché chief Jérôme Paillard told Screen: “Acquisition agents are telling me that it’s the first time in a number of years that there are so many big projects. I’ve been told there are around 50 high profile projects on offer.”
North AmericaHOT Projects
Universal Pictures and Focus Features took worldwide rights to Tom Ford’s upcoming thriller Nocturnal Animals, starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, in a deal reportedly worth $20m. [Story]
Open Road paid...
Behind the glamour of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, business was booming at the Marché du Film (May 13-22), with representatives from 120 countries in attendance - up four on 2014.
A total 3,300 films were on offer this year, around 1,000 at the project stage, with an estimated 11,000 film professionals in attendance, in line with last year.
In the opening days, Marché chief Jérôme Paillard told Screen: “Acquisition agents are telling me that it’s the first time in a number of years that there are so many big projects. I’ve been told there are around 50 high profile projects on offer.”
North AmericaHOT Projects
Universal Pictures and Focus Features took worldwide rights to Tom Ford’s upcoming thriller Nocturnal Animals, starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, in a deal reportedly worth $20m. [Story]
Open Road paid...
- 5/22/2015
- ScreenDaily
Pioneering Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa ("From A To B") is reteaming with Image Nation Abu Dhabi on his next feature, "The Worthy," which will go into production later this year.
The "From A to B" director will be joined by Hollywood veterans Peter Safran ("The Conjuring," "Annabelle") and Steven Schneider ("Paranormal Activity," "Insidious") who have come on board to produce the project with Mostafa’s regional producer Rami Yasin ( Sea Shadow," "From A to B").
"The Worthy" is set in a dystopian future which has been plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage. The story follows a small group of survivors seeking refuge with the only clean remaining water source in the area. When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen worthy.
Ali Mostafa was joined by producer Rami Yasin and Image Nation’s head of narrative, Ben Ross in Cannes to make the announcement.
Mostafa said: “As the first action/thriller I’m directing, 'The Worth' is a new adventure for me. My producers, Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as 'The Conjuring' and 'Paranormal Activity.' They are really at the top of their game right now and their expertise will be invaluable on The Worthy so I’m excited to be working with them and with Image Nation again on 'The Worthy.'”
Producer Peter Safan said: “The film industry in Abu Dhabi is at an extremely exciting time in its development, I am looking forward to playing a small part in its growth by working on this fantastic film.”
Steven Schneider said about joining the project as a producer: “Image Nation is a pioneering force in the UAE community and Ali Mostafa is such a unique talent. I think we have an amazing team working on this project and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Mostafa’s last film "From A to B," co-produced by twofour54 and Image Nation, topping iTunes charts across the Middle East. The hit comedy drama is set to be released theatrically in the UK and Italy this year.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation, said of the upcoming project: “We’re so happy to be working with Ali Mostafa again on this exciting new genre film. He is a true talent and shares our vision for growing the local and regional film industry.”
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation said: “Image Nation Abu Dhabi is able to create projects like this due to our unique ability to team Hollywood expertise with local talent.”
Image Nation has been ramping up its film and TV production output over the last year and recently wrapped its next feature film from first time feature Emirati director, Majid Al Ansari. "Zinzana" is set to release in the UAE this fall. The news follows the recent announcement that The Media Zone Authority is set to focus on new initiatives to further support local and Arab films and filmmakers.
Michael added: “This announcement comes at an exciting time as we prepare to enter a new era of filmmaking in the UAE and the region. To be announcing two huge productions with Emirati directors in such a short period of time is an incredible step and is reflective of how we are continuing to grow rapidly as a local industry.”
Earlier this week, Image Nation announced they will be fully financing James Ponsoldt’s upcoming feature adaptation of Dave Eggers’ contemporary thriller "The Circle" starring Tom Hanks and Alicia Vikander. The film will be presented by Image Nation in association with Parkes MacDonald Productions. The film is being produced by Hanks and Goetzman for Playtone, Anthony Bregman for Likely Story, and Ponsoldt.
Image Nation’s documentary slate includes the high-profile feature documentary "He Named Me Malala," directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") and co-produced by Participant Media. Fox Searchlight will open the film in the U.S. on October 2. And directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom Roberts, "Every Last Child" follows the lives of five people caught up in the current Polio crisis in Pakistan. Zeitgeist Films releases "Every Last Child" in the U.S. from June 3, and the film recently screened as part of the Special Presentations lineup at the Hot Docs international documentary festival in Canada.
The "From A to B" director will be joined by Hollywood veterans Peter Safran ("The Conjuring," "Annabelle") and Steven Schneider ("Paranormal Activity," "Insidious") who have come on board to produce the project with Mostafa’s regional producer Rami Yasin ( Sea Shadow," "From A to B").
"The Worthy" is set in a dystopian future which has been plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage. The story follows a small group of survivors seeking refuge with the only clean remaining water source in the area. When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen worthy.
Ali Mostafa was joined by producer Rami Yasin and Image Nation’s head of narrative, Ben Ross in Cannes to make the announcement.
Mostafa said: “As the first action/thriller I’m directing, 'The Worth' is a new adventure for me. My producers, Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as 'The Conjuring' and 'Paranormal Activity.' They are really at the top of their game right now and their expertise will be invaluable on The Worthy so I’m excited to be working with them and with Image Nation again on 'The Worthy.'”
Producer Peter Safan said: “The film industry in Abu Dhabi is at an extremely exciting time in its development, I am looking forward to playing a small part in its growth by working on this fantastic film.”
Steven Schneider said about joining the project as a producer: “Image Nation is a pioneering force in the UAE community and Ali Mostafa is such a unique talent. I think we have an amazing team working on this project and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
The announcement comes on the heels of Mostafa’s last film "From A to B," co-produced by twofour54 and Image Nation, topping iTunes charts across the Middle East. The hit comedy drama is set to be released theatrically in the UK and Italy this year.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation, said of the upcoming project: “We’re so happy to be working with Ali Mostafa again on this exciting new genre film. He is a true talent and shares our vision for growing the local and regional film industry.”
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation said: “Image Nation Abu Dhabi is able to create projects like this due to our unique ability to team Hollywood expertise with local talent.”
Image Nation has been ramping up its film and TV production output over the last year and recently wrapped its next feature film from first time feature Emirati director, Majid Al Ansari. "Zinzana" is set to release in the UAE this fall. The news follows the recent announcement that The Media Zone Authority is set to focus on new initiatives to further support local and Arab films and filmmakers.
Michael added: “This announcement comes at an exciting time as we prepare to enter a new era of filmmaking in the UAE and the region. To be announcing two huge productions with Emirati directors in such a short period of time is an incredible step and is reflective of how we are continuing to grow rapidly as a local industry.”
Earlier this week, Image Nation announced they will be fully financing James Ponsoldt’s upcoming feature adaptation of Dave Eggers’ contemporary thriller "The Circle" starring Tom Hanks and Alicia Vikander. The film will be presented by Image Nation in association with Parkes MacDonald Productions. The film is being produced by Hanks and Goetzman for Playtone, Anthony Bregman for Likely Story, and Ponsoldt.
Image Nation’s documentary slate includes the high-profile feature documentary "He Named Me Malala," directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth") and co-produced by Participant Media. Fox Searchlight will open the film in the U.S. on October 2. And directed by award-winning filmmaker Tom Roberts, "Every Last Child" follows the lives of five people caught up in the current Polio crisis in Pakistan. Zeitgeist Films releases "Every Last Child" in the U.S. from June 3, and the film recently screened as part of the Special Presentations lineup at the Hot Docs international documentary festival in Canada.
- 5/21/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is reteaming with Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa on sci-fi project The Worthy and bringing genre experts Peter Safran (The Conjuring) and Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity) to produce alongside Rami Yasin. Image Nation, Mostafa and Yasin previously worked together on the road trip pic From A To B, which Studio Canal will release in the UK. The Worthy is set in a dystopian future which has been plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage…...
- 5/15/2015
- Deadline
Mostafa teaming with Image Nation and Us producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Us producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider have boarded Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s next feature The Worthy.
Set in a dystopian future plunged into chaos by a chronic water shortage, the story follows a group of survivors seeking refuge near a rare remaining clean water source
When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen as worthy.
It is a first action thriller for Mostafa whose last film was the tragi-comic Middle East road movie From to A to B.
“The Worthy is a new adventure for me. Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity,” said Mostafa who was in Cannes on Friday (May 15) to promote...
Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Us producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider have boarded Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s next feature The Worthy.
Set in a dystopian future plunged into chaos by a chronic water shortage, the story follows a group of survivors seeking refuge near a rare remaining clean water source
When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen as worthy.
It is a first action thriller for Mostafa whose last film was the tragi-comic Middle East road movie From to A to B.
“The Worthy is a new adventure for me. Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity,” said Mostafa who was in Cannes on Friday (May 15) to promote...
- 5/15/2015
- ScreenDaily
Hollywood veterans Peter Safran and Steven Schneider also on project.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Hollywood veterans Peter Safran and Steven Schneider have boarded Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s next feature The Worthy.
Set in a dystopian future plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage, the story follows a small group of survivors seeking refuge close to the only clean remaining water source in the area.
When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen worthy.
It is a first action thriller for Mostafa whose last film was the Middle East road movie From to A to B.
“The Worthy is a new adventure for me. My producers, Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity,” said Mostafa.
“They are really...
Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Hollywood veterans Peter Safran and Steven Schneider have boarded Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s next feature The Worthy.
Set in a dystopian future plunged into chaos due to a chronic water shortage, the story follows a small group of survivors seeking refuge close to the only clean remaining water source in the area.
When two visitors infiltrate their compound, they soon become pawns in a test for survival, where only one of them shall be chosen worthy.
It is a first action thriller for Mostafa whose last film was the Middle East road movie From to A to B.
“The Worthy is a new adventure for me. My producers, Peter and Steven, have produced some of the best genre movies ever made with critical and commercial hits such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity,” said Mostafa.
“They are really...
- 5/15/2015
- ScreenDaily
Media Zone Authority restructure will not impact Sanad Fund.
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) has been closed down after eight years as part of a restructure by the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi (Mza).
The festival offered a mix of films from the region, independent cinema and more mainstream fare, as well as on-stage industry discussions and interviews with actors and film-makers.
Last year’s edition, which ran from Oct 23-Nov 1, opened with Ali Mostafa’s Emerati film From A to B and closed with Disney animation Big Hero 6, with nearly 200 films from more than 60 countries included. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan won the festival’s top prize, the Black Pearl Award.
According to a statement, the Mza has taken the move to focus on “targeted initiatives to further support local and Arab filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi”.
Furious 7 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are among the most high profile...
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) has been closed down after eight years as part of a restructure by the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi (Mza).
The festival offered a mix of films from the region, independent cinema and more mainstream fare, as well as on-stage industry discussions and interviews with actors and film-makers.
Last year’s edition, which ran from Oct 23-Nov 1, opened with Ali Mostafa’s Emerati film From A to B and closed with Disney animation Big Hero 6, with nearly 200 films from more than 60 countries included. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan won the festival’s top prize, the Black Pearl Award.
According to a statement, the Mza has taken the move to focus on “targeted initiatives to further support local and Arab filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi”.
Furious 7 and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are among the most high profile...
- 5/7/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based industry veteran, who also works with actor Amr Waked, deepens ties with Egypt.
Paris-based producer Daniel Ziskind has signed to act as the European representative of Egyptian Mohamed Hefzy’s Cairo-based production house Film Clinic.
Under the accord, Ziskind will support Film Clinic’s co-production and sales activities in Europe.
“I’m very happy to join the Film Clinic family,” Ziskind said. “The company has a great line-up and strategy.”
First feature
The first project under the collaboration will be Mohamed Diab’s drama Clash, his second film after the much-praised Cairo 678 tackling sexual harassment through the experiences of women on a bus.
Set against the backdrop of violent demonstrations that erupted at the end of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist reign in summer of 2013, Clash revolves around two groups of opposing protestors who find themselves trapped in the same police van as fighting rages around them.
“It’s a timely...
Paris-based producer Daniel Ziskind has signed to act as the European representative of Egyptian Mohamed Hefzy’s Cairo-based production house Film Clinic.
Under the accord, Ziskind will support Film Clinic’s co-production and sales activities in Europe.
“I’m very happy to join the Film Clinic family,” Ziskind said. “The company has a great line-up and strategy.”
First feature
The first project under the collaboration will be Mohamed Diab’s drama Clash, his second film after the much-praised Cairo 678 tackling sexual harassment through the experiences of women on a bus.
Set against the backdrop of violent demonstrations that erupted at the end of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s Islamist reign in summer of 2013, Clash revolves around two groups of opposing protestors who find themselves trapped in the same police van as fighting rages around them.
“It’s a timely...
- 4/9/2015
- ScreenDaily
Breaking News- European major Studio Canal has acquired all UK rights to Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa’s road movie From A to B. The deal, announced during Berlin’s Efm, was negotiated by Arianne Fraser’s Highland Film Group.
From A to B, which world premiered last October at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, was co-financed and co-produced by Twofour54 and Image Nation Abu Dhabi. Rotana Film Production is handling the Middle East release of the film, which was produced by Paul Baboudjian, Mohammed Hefzy and Ali F. Mostafa.
Ashraf Hamdi and Ronnie Khalil both contributed to the script that Hefzy and Mostafa wrote.
The film tells the story of three estranged childhood friends who travel on a road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in memory of their lost friend.
Highland is repping international sales at Efm.
From A to B, which world premiered last October at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, was co-financed and co-produced by Twofour54 and Image Nation Abu Dhabi. Rotana Film Production is handling the Middle East release of the film, which was produced by Paul Baboudjian, Mohammed Hefzy and Ali F. Mostafa.
Ashraf Hamdi and Ronnie Khalil both contributed to the script that Hefzy and Mostafa wrote.
The film tells the story of three estranged childhood friends who travel on a road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in memory of their lost friend.
Highland is repping international sales at Efm.
- 2/7/2015
- by Ali Jaafar
- Deadline
Dolphins, Abood Kandaishan and Cairo Time are the among the first titles set to be released theatrically in the Middle East thanks to the Dubai Film Market’s new distribution programme.
Under the new Dfm initiative, called the Dubai Distribution Programme, six Middle East distributors have agreed to acquire at least one Arab title from the Diff line-up and release it theatrically in the region.
In exchange, the Dfm and Diff have agreed to promote the release through its platforms and networks.
“We’re over the moon with this first year. I’ve never seen the local distributors as engaged in the market as this year. The programme has created a real buzz around the Arab titles in the selection,” said Dfm chief Samr Al Marzooqi.
Many of the deals are still being finalised but Al Marzooqi was able to report a handful of early acquisitions.
As previously reported Dubai-based exhibitor and distributor Vox, which operates...
Under the new Dfm initiative, called the Dubai Distribution Programme, six Middle East distributors have agreed to acquire at least one Arab title from the Diff line-up and release it theatrically in the region.
In exchange, the Dfm and Diff have agreed to promote the release through its platforms and networks.
“We’re over the moon with this first year. I’ve never seen the local distributors as engaged in the market as this year. The programme has created a real buzz around the Arab titles in the selection,” said Dfm chief Samr Al Marzooqi.
Many of the deals are still being finalised but Al Marzooqi was able to report a handful of early acquisitions.
As previously reported Dubai-based exhibitor and distributor Vox, which operates...
- 12/17/2014
- ScreenDaily
A Dubai Film Market (Dfm) panel discussed the challenges in distributing Arab films in the region and internationally, and how Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s From A To B may become a game-changer.
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
A Dubai Film Market (Dfm) panel discussed the challenges in distributing Arab films in the region and internationally, and how Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s From A To B may become a game-changer.
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
A Dubai Film Market (Dfm) panel discussed the challenges in distributing Arab films in the region and internationally, and how Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s From A To B may become a game-changer.
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
The film is set to receive a groundbreaking theatrical release across nine Middle Eastern territories on some 60 screens at the beginning of January.
By Us, European or Chinese standards, 60 screens may not seem a big deal but in a region where the widest releases – even for high-profile Hollywood titles – are on 120 screens, distributor Empire International’s plans for From A To B are ambitious.
Arab films, bar a few Egyptian star vehicles, rarely travel beyond their territories of origin in the region, or further afield in Europe and the Us, and often even have a hard time finding distribution at home.
This issue was at the heart of the Dfm talk on Friday entitled “What are the challenges of distributing Arab Films?” The panel looked...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
Diff and Samsung are joining forces with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dtcm) on the second edition of the short film competition they inaugurated this year.
Under the new partnership, this year’s competition, dubbed The Reel Dubai, is calling for submissions focused on Dubai. The theme ties in with the Dtcm’s social media #MyDubai campaign.
The initiative launched in January invited residents and visitors to post images and videos recording their experiences in Dubai on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #MyDubai. It has generated more than one million hashtag uses to date.
The competition is open to Dubai residents of any nationality.
Samsung will provide six short-listed nominees with a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with which to film their projects.
The nominees will also be mentored by Emirati directors Nayla Al Khaja, Ali Mostafa and animation expert Mohammad Saeed Harib, who recently contributed to the Salma Hayek-produced The Prophet.
“When...
Under the new partnership, this year’s competition, dubbed The Reel Dubai, is calling for submissions focused on Dubai. The theme ties in with the Dtcm’s social media #MyDubai campaign.
The initiative launched in January invited residents and visitors to post images and videos recording their experiences in Dubai on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #MyDubai. It has generated more than one million hashtag uses to date.
The competition is open to Dubai residents of any nationality.
Samsung will provide six short-listed nominees with a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with which to film their projects.
The nominees will also be mentored by Emirati directors Nayla Al Khaja, Ali Mostafa and animation expert Mohammad Saeed Harib, who recently contributed to the Salma Hayek-produced The Prophet.
“When...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
Diff launched the second edition of the short film competition it runs with the support of Samsung on Saturday, calling for Dubai-themed submissions.
This year’s competition, called The Reel Dubai, is also being run in association with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dtcm).
The Dubai theme ties in with the department’s social media #MyDubai campaign.
The initiative launched in January invited residents and visitors to post images and videos recording their experiences in Dubai on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #MyDubai. It has generated more than one million hashtag uses to date.
The competition is open to Dubai residents of any nationality.
Samsung will provide six short-listed nominees with a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with which to film their projects.
The nominees will also be mentored by Emirati directors Nayla Al Khaja, Ali Mostafa and animation expert Mohammad Saeed Harib, who recently contributed to the Salma Hayek-produced The Prophet.
“When...
This year’s competition, called The Reel Dubai, is also being run in association with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dtcm).
The Dubai theme ties in with the department’s social media #MyDubai campaign.
The initiative launched in January invited residents and visitors to post images and videos recording their experiences in Dubai on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #MyDubai. It has generated more than one million hashtag uses to date.
The competition is open to Dubai residents of any nationality.
Samsung will provide six short-listed nominees with a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with which to film their projects.
The nominees will also be mentored by Emirati directors Nayla Al Khaja, Ali Mostafa and animation expert Mohammad Saeed Harib, who recently contributed to the Salma Hayek-produced The Prophet.
“When...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Dubai-based Vox Cinemas is in final negotiations to acquire pan-Arab rights to Emirati director Waleed Al Shehhi’s Dolphins ahead of its premiere at Diff on Friday.
Shot against the backdrop of the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, the film follows three intertwined characters – a divorced couple and their son – over the course of 24 hours, as they set off on separate journeys of self-discovery, which will re-define their lives.
“It’s a great piece of filmmaking, from the way it’s shot to the story-telling and the way it captures the relationships between the father, son and mother,” said Toni El Massih, director of distribution and film content at Vox Cinema.
The film won the $100,000 Iwc Filmmaker Award at Diff last year.
Vox, a subsidiary of the Majid Al Futtaim property and retail group, is best known in the region as an exhibitor, operating 87 screens in the UAE, 17 in Oman and another 15 in Beirut.
The company...
Shot against the backdrop of the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, the film follows three intertwined characters – a divorced couple and their son – over the course of 24 hours, as they set off on separate journeys of self-discovery, which will re-define their lives.
“It’s a great piece of filmmaking, from the way it’s shot to the story-telling and the way it captures the relationships between the father, son and mother,” said Toni El Massih, director of distribution and film content at Vox Cinema.
The film won the $100,000 Iwc Filmmaker Award at Diff last year.
Vox, a subsidiary of the Majid Al Futtaim property and retail group, is best known in the region as an exhibitor, operating 87 screens in the UAE, 17 in Oman and another 15 in Beirut.
The company...
- 12/12/2014
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Highland Film Group has taken on international sales of Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s pan-Arab road movie From A To B.
The film follows three former international high school pals – hailing from the UAE, Egypt and Syria – on an eventful trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut to visit the grave of a dead friend.
It is due to go on general release across the Middle East on January 6 after successful festival screenings at Abu Dhabi and Cairo. It is also screening at the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) in the Arabian Nights section on December 11.
“We’ll introduce the film to the market place at the 2015 Berlinale after the domestic release,” said Highland CEO Arianne Fraser.
Featuring popular Saudi YouTube star Fahad Albutairi alongside relative newcomers, Emirati actor Fadi Rifaai and Egyptian newcomer Shadi Alfons, the film drew an enthusiastic audience when it premiered at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October and also proved a crowd...
The film follows three former international high school pals – hailing from the UAE, Egypt and Syria – on an eventful trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut to visit the grave of a dead friend.
It is due to go on general release across the Middle East on January 6 after successful festival screenings at Abu Dhabi and Cairo. It is also screening at the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) in the Arabian Nights section on December 11.
“We’ll introduce the film to the market place at the 2015 Berlinale after the domestic release,” said Highland CEO Arianne Fraser.
Featuring popular Saudi YouTube star Fahad Albutairi alongside relative newcomers, Emirati actor Fadi Rifaai and Egyptian newcomer Shadi Alfons, the film drew an enthusiastic audience when it premiered at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October and also proved a crowd...
- 12/10/2014
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Feature is an adaptation of Emirati bestseller about girl growing up in the region in the 1960s.
Lebanese, UAE-based producer Paul Baboudjian has signed Saudi actress and filmmaker Ahd Kamel to direct an adaptation of Emirati writer Maha Gargash’s bestseller The Sand Fish.
The adaptation, to be entitled Sandfish, will be the first project for Baboudjian’s new Dubai-based production house Tharwa Productions which is poised to open for business before end of the year.
The coming-of-age tale, set in the UAE in the 1960s, revolves around a beautiful young orphan who is married off to an elderly childless, pearl merchant as his third wife.
It follows her journey from child to mother and discovery of love, lust, hate, sorority, betrayal, manipulation, respect, maternity and growth along the way.
“When I came across Maha Gargash’s best-seller The Sand Fish, I was completely besotted by the story, the characters, the delicacy...
Lebanese, UAE-based producer Paul Baboudjian has signed Saudi actress and filmmaker Ahd Kamel to direct an adaptation of Emirati writer Maha Gargash’s bestseller The Sand Fish.
The adaptation, to be entitled Sandfish, will be the first project for Baboudjian’s new Dubai-based production house Tharwa Productions which is poised to open for business before end of the year.
The coming-of-age tale, set in the UAE in the 1960s, revolves around a beautiful young orphan who is married off to an elderly childless, pearl merchant as his third wife.
It follows her journey from child to mother and discovery of love, lust, hate, sorority, betrayal, manipulation, respect, maternity and growth along the way.
“When I came across Maha Gargash’s best-seller The Sand Fish, I was completely besotted by the story, the characters, the delicacy...
- 10/28/2014
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film Clinic’s Hefzy also co-producing Mohamed Khan’s new film Before the Summer Crowds.
Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy and director Ahmad Abdalla are reuniting for an adaptation of Lebanese writer Rabee Jaber’s 1995 novel Black Tea.
“Set mostly in Beirut, the story follows a young man during one night as he journeys through various incidents of his past as he prepares to reconnect with friends he had left behind,” said Hefzy.
He and Abdalla will launch the project at the Crossroads Co-production forum, taking place Nov 4-8 during the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
“It’s the first time we’ll present it,” said Hefzy, who is at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) this year as one of the creative producers on Emirati Ali Mostafa’s second feature From A to B.
Hefzy is initially seeking Lebanese and possibly French partners for the film.
Lebanese writer Jaber won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2012, also...
Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy and director Ahmad Abdalla are reuniting for an adaptation of Lebanese writer Rabee Jaber’s 1995 novel Black Tea.
“Set mostly in Beirut, the story follows a young man during one night as he journeys through various incidents of his past as he prepares to reconnect with friends he had left behind,” said Hefzy.
He and Abdalla will launch the project at the Crossroads Co-production forum, taking place Nov 4-8 during the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
“It’s the first time we’ll present it,” said Hefzy, who is at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) this year as one of the creative producers on Emirati Ali Mostafa’s second feature From A to B.
Hefzy is initially seeking Lebanese and possibly French partners for the film.
Lebanese writer Jaber won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2012, also...
- 10/26/2014
- ScreenDaily
Irrfan Khan, Christina Voros and Catherine Dussart to preside over feature competition juries; seven world premieres of Arab films in feature competitions.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 23-Nov 1) has released the names of its jury members, who will select the award winners of this year’s Adff competitions.
This year’s Narrative Features jury led by Mumbai-based actor Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Life of Pi) will be rounded out by Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
The panel evaluating the New Horizons section led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart (The Missing Picture) includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, Geneva-based Indian filmmaker Anup Singh and film critic Charles Tesson, artistic director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Heading the Documentary Features jury is Brooklyn-based director and cinematographer Christina Voros. The other jury...
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Oct 23-Nov 1) has released the names of its jury members, who will select the award winners of this year’s Adff competitions.
This year’s Narrative Features jury led by Mumbai-based actor Irrfan Khan (The Lunchbox, Life of Pi) will be rounded out by Algerian novelist and academic Waciny Laredj, award-winning English writer-director Steven Shainberg, Australian film director Cate Shortland and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman.
The panel evaluating the New Horizons section led by Paris-based film producer Catherine Dussart (The Missing Picture) includes Syrian actor Bassel Al Khayat, Moroccan filmmaker Leila Kilani, Geneva-based Indian filmmaker Anup Singh and film critic Charles Tesson, artistic director of Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival.
Heading the Documentary Features jury is Brooklyn-based director and cinematographer Christina Voros. The other jury...
- 10/20/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Ali Mostafa’s road trip movie will open Abu Dhabi Film Festival.
Pan-Arab media powerhouse Rotana has joined Ali Mostafa’s From A To B as a co-producer.
The company has also taken TV rights to the film.
Image Nation and twofour54 are also co-producers on the project, which will have its world premiere as the opening film at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Film Festival. The story follows three friends on a road trip full of misadventures from Abu Dhabi to Beirut.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of Image Nation said of the partnership: “To have one of the region’s largest entertainment companies partner on one of our projects is superb. We’re glad Rotana feels as strongly about this film as we do and we look forward to using our combined experience to ensure Ali Mostafa’s film has a great start.”
Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54: “twofour54 is the Arab world’s media...
Pan-Arab media powerhouse Rotana has joined Ali Mostafa’s From A To B as a co-producer.
The company has also taken TV rights to the film.
Image Nation and twofour54 are also co-producers on the project, which will have its world premiere as the opening film at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Film Festival. The story follows three friends on a road trip full of misadventures from Abu Dhabi to Beirut.
Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of Image Nation said of the partnership: “To have one of the region’s largest entertainment companies partner on one of our projects is superb. We’re glad Rotana feels as strongly about this film as we do and we look forward to using our combined experience to ensure Ali Mostafa’s film has a great start.”
Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54: “twofour54 is the Arab world’s media...
- 10/12/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Adff to present 197 films from 61 countries.
The 2014 Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff), backed by twofour54, will present nine feature world premieres, eight of them from the Arab world. The short film sections will host 48 world premieres.
The festival will open with Ali Mostafa’s From A to B [pictured], and festival director Ali Al-Jabri said: “It is the first time in the festival’s history that we opening with an Emirati film and we ares very proud about this landmark event.”
The festival runs October 23 to November 1 and presents 197 films from 61 countries.
For the second year, the festival host the Child Protection Award organised with the Child Protection Centre of the Ministry of Interior, to spotlight films that raise awareness about abused or neglected children. Films competing for that prize include Zerensenay Mehari’s Difret, Albert Shin’s In Her Place, and Cyprien Vial’s Young Tiger.
The Showcase section includes films such as ‘71, A Pigeon Sat on...
The 2014 Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff), backed by twofour54, will present nine feature world premieres, eight of them from the Arab world. The short film sections will host 48 world premieres.
The festival will open with Ali Mostafa’s From A to B [pictured], and festival director Ali Al-Jabri said: “It is the first time in the festival’s history that we opening with an Emirati film and we ares very proud about this landmark event.”
The festival runs October 23 to November 1 and presents 197 films from 61 countries.
For the second year, the festival host the Child Protection Award organised with the Child Protection Centre of the Ministry of Interior, to spotlight films that raise awareness about abused or neglected children. Films competing for that prize include Zerensenay Mehari’s Difret, Albert Shin’s In Her Place, and Cyprien Vial’s Young Tiger.
The Showcase section includes films such as ‘71, A Pigeon Sat on...
- 9/29/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Women directors make up 70% of competition films.
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) (Oct 23-Nov 1) has announced the selection for this year’s Emirates Film Competition (Efc).
The upcoming edition of the competition features a total of 53 films, of which 37 films are directed by women, across a variety of genres.
The line up also features films by Emirati filmmakers such as Nasser Al Tamimi’s Female Scream, Nasser Al-Yaqoubi’s Haneen, Hassan Kiyani’s Marwan The Boxer and Ali Mostafa’s musical Rise. In addition, Sarah Al Agroobi’s Super Lochal is among the selected films.
Desire by Hala Matar (Bahrain, starring Johnny Knoxville) has been selected for Adff’s Short Film Competition along with Koshk, from Emirati director Abdullah Al-Kaabi. These two films will participate in both Efc and the Short Film Competition.
Highly anticipated films from the Gcc region include Now Showing directed by Abdullah Al Daihani (Kuwait), Rainbow directed by Mahmood Al-Shaikh (Bahrain) and 623 directed...
Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) (Oct 23-Nov 1) has announced the selection for this year’s Emirates Film Competition (Efc).
The upcoming edition of the competition features a total of 53 films, of which 37 films are directed by women, across a variety of genres.
The line up also features films by Emirati filmmakers such as Nasser Al Tamimi’s Female Scream, Nasser Al-Yaqoubi’s Haneen, Hassan Kiyani’s Marwan The Boxer and Ali Mostafa’s musical Rise. In addition, Sarah Al Agroobi’s Super Lochal is among the selected films.
Desire by Hala Matar (Bahrain, starring Johnny Knoxville) has been selected for Adff’s Short Film Competition along with Koshk, from Emirati director Abdullah Al-Kaabi. These two films will participate in both Efc and the Short Film Competition.
Highly anticipated films from the Gcc region include Now Showing directed by Abdullah Al Daihani (Kuwait), Rainbow directed by Mahmood Al-Shaikh (Bahrain) and 623 directed...
- 9/22/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival has announced the opening and closing films for its upcoming eighth edition, which kicks off in late October. Hotly-anticipated Disney animation release Big Hero 6 will close the event on Nov. 1, just a week after its unveiling in Tokyo. Meanwhile, the festival will launch for the first time with a world premiere from a United Arab Emirates national. The film, From A to B, has been directed by Ali F. Mostafa and co-produced by Abu Dhabi-based producer Image Nation and government-backed media powerhouse twofour54. The second feature from Mostafa, one
read more...
read more...
- 9/15/2014
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
World premiere of From A to B by Emirati director Ali Mostafa first Emirati film to open festival.
The 8th Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) (Oct 23-Nov 1), is to open for the first time with a locally produced film - From A to B by Emirati director Ali Mostafa and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
The closing film of the festival has been confirmed as Disney’s animation Big Hero 6.
From A to B marks Mostafa’s second full length feature film after City of Life (2009) and follows three Western-educated Arab youths who travel 1,500 miles from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in memory of their deceased best friend, who passed away five years earlier.
Adff director Ali Al Jabri said: “We are delighted to feature a locally produced film as opening title of this year’s festival. The success of high-calibre Arab filmmakers like Ali Mostafa is a testament to the vibrancy of filmmaking in the region.
“This...
The 8th Abu Dhabi Film Festival (Adff) (Oct 23-Nov 1), is to open for the first time with a locally produced film - From A to B by Emirati director Ali Mostafa and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
The closing film of the festival has been confirmed as Disney’s animation Big Hero 6.
From A to B marks Mostafa’s second full length feature film after City of Life (2009) and follows three Western-educated Arab youths who travel 1,500 miles from Abu Dhabi to Beirut in memory of their deceased best friend, who passed away five years earlier.
Adff director Ali Al Jabri said: “We are delighted to feature a locally produced film as opening title of this year’s festival. The success of high-calibre Arab filmmakers like Ali Mostafa is a testament to the vibrancy of filmmaking in the region.
“This...
- 9/15/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Leading lights in Abu Dhabi’s nascent film sector have told Hollywood executives they are ramping up efforts to create a Middle East media and content hub as the region invests in sustainable alternatives to an oil-based economy.
CEO Noura Al Kaabi (pictured) of twofour54, the commercial arm of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi, and Image Nation chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak were speaking at a panel on Wednesday (11) as part of a promotional trip to Los Angeles.
“We want to reach a level where we’re the hub of creative content in the region,” said Al Kaabi, whose organisation operates on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and Abu Dhabi Media Summit.
In recent years twofour54 and/or the Commission have enticed a number of high-profile productions with Abu Dhabi’s fresh 30% production incentive.
These include Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode VII, which remained...
CEO Noura Al Kaabi (pictured) of twofour54, the commercial arm of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi, and Image Nation chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak were speaking at a panel on Wednesday (11) as part of a promotional trip to Los Angeles.
“We want to reach a level where we’re the hub of creative content in the region,” said Al Kaabi, whose organisation operates on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and Abu Dhabi Media Summit.
In recent years twofour54 and/or the Commission have enticed a number of high-profile productions with Abu Dhabi’s fresh 30% production incentive.
These include Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Episode VII, which remained...
- 6/12/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Cairo-based Mad Solutions is presenting a slate of ten high-profile Arabic-language pictures at this year’s Dubai Film Market (Dfm).
Mad will handle regional and international distribution, as well as serve as marketing consultant, on the ten-picture slate, which includes Diff Muhr Arab feature competition titles Factory Girl, directed by Mohamed Khan, and The Mice Room, a feature directed by six Egyptian directors.
The slate also includes three other Diff Muhr Arab competition titles: Mais Darwazah’s creative doc My Love Awaits Me By The Sea; Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s short film Don’t Judge A Subject By Its Photograph, and Lebanese filmmaker Tobufic Khreish’s short Troubled Waters.
Mad is also handling Ayten Amin’s Villa 69, which recently won a special jury prize at Abu Dhabi Film Festival; Hany Fawzy’s gay-themed drama Family Secrets; and Hala Lotfy’s award-winning narrative feature Coming Forth By Day.
Rounding out the slate are documentary In Search Of Oil And Sand, co-directed...
Mad will handle regional and international distribution, as well as serve as marketing consultant, on the ten-picture slate, which includes Diff Muhr Arab feature competition titles Factory Girl, directed by Mohamed Khan, and The Mice Room, a feature directed by six Egyptian directors.
The slate also includes three other Diff Muhr Arab competition titles: Mais Darwazah’s creative doc My Love Awaits Me By The Sea; Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa’s short film Don’t Judge A Subject By Its Photograph, and Lebanese filmmaker Tobufic Khreish’s short Troubled Waters.
Mad is also handling Ayten Amin’s Villa 69, which recently won a special jury prize at Abu Dhabi Film Festival; Hany Fawzy’s gay-themed drama Family Secrets; and Hala Lotfy’s award-winning narrative feature Coming Forth By Day.
Rounding out the slate are documentary In Search Of Oil And Sand, co-directed...
- 12/8/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Cate Blanchett will head the jury for the Iwc Shaffhausen International Filmmaker Award at the Dubai International Film Festival (December 9-16). The shortlist for the award includes four feature-length projects from established or up-and-coming filmmakers in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The four shortlisted film projects are "Nothing Doing in Baghdad" by Maysoon Pachachi, "The Sleeping Tree" by Mohammed Rashed Bulali, "Girls in the Know" by Abdullah Al Kaabi and "From A to B" by Ali F. Mostafa. The winner will be announced on December 9, and will receive an impressive cash prize of $100K to help finance and transfer the winning filmmaker's vision to the screen. Iwc Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, Diff chairman Abdulhamid Jula, Diff artistic director Masoud Amralla and Arte-France Cinema general director Olivier Pere join Blanchett on the award jury.
- 11/6/2012
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Film Society of Lincoln Center is partnering with the Dubai International Film Festival to create the Diff Focus program that will concentrate on Arab filmmakers. It'scomprised of 10 features, short-film selections, Q&As and panels and will run August 24-30. Among the films to be included are Susan Youssef’s love story “Habibi Rasak Kharban,” which gained support from Diff’s Enjaaz post-production fund and had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, and Ali Mostafa’s “City of Life,” which opened the Gulf Film Festival. “We are delighted to present some of the best films from the Arab region, which we hope will give a flavor of the vibrancy and relevance of Middle Eastern cinema,” said Diff chairman Abdulhamid Juma. “We look forward to working with the Lincoln Center and hope this will be a long and prosperous partnership.” The films selected for the Lincoln Center program have been.
- 5/19/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
Like many people witnessing its rapid growth and obscene architectural preening (construction had recently been completed on the Burj Dubai, now the world's tallest building by quite the margin) from afar, I find Dubai to be an endlessly fascinating place. Ali F. Mostafa's City of Life, one of the first feature films filmed, produced and released in the metropolis was an easy must-see at a festival where the slogan is "Same planet. Different Worlds."
The film takes a look at the city in a narratively conventional way, with intertwining stories from a handful of Dubai residents varying in age, gender and nationality. Most notably: a wealthy 20-something Emirati man (Saud Al Ka'abi) who spends his nights rolling around in his absurdly fancy car and drinking with his violent middle-class buddy (rapper The Narcicyst), a Romanian flight attendant (Alexandra Maria Lara) being wooed by a smarmy Brit, and a down-on-his-luck...
The film takes a look at the city in a narratively conventional way, with intertwining stories from a handful of Dubai residents varying in age, gender and nationality. Most notably: a wealthy 20-something Emirati man (Saud Al Ka'abi) who spends his nights rolling around in his absurdly fancy car and drinking with his violent middle-class buddy (rapper The Narcicyst), a Romanian flight attendant (Alexandra Maria Lara) being wooed by a smarmy Brit, and a down-on-his-luck...
- 10/22/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Be ready to be star-struck! Celebrity spotting enters a new realm as A-list stars from around the world descend on Dubai for the sixth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) from December 9 to 16.Diff Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said the celebrity attendance at Diff 2009 reflects the increasing global appeal of the festival. .These celebrities are not making a nominal appearance but most of them are integral part of movies that are being screened at Diff, making their presence even more relevant..Headlining the celebrity list from Hollywood is Gerald Butler, the Ps, I Love You and The Ugly Truth star, who will receive the Variety International Star of the Year at Diff.He joins a power-pack including Matt Dillon, Oscar-nominated for his performance in Crash; Christina Ricci (Penelope); Mandy Moore (Licence to Wed); Christopher Lambert (Southland Tales) and Jason Flemying (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). Broken Embraces star...
- 12/8/2009
- Filmicafe
London -- The Dubai International Film Festival plans to stage its sixth edition this year despite the emirate being in financial meltdown and stock markets across the globe plummeting amid exposure to its debt crisis.
Putting on a positive front early Tuesday, festival organizers unveiled a glittering lineup of movies, including James Cameron's "Avatar," enough to make other festivals blue with envy. The lineup also boasts Rob Marshall's big-screen adaptation of stage musical "Nine" as its Dec. 9 opener.
As Tuesday dawned here, stocks crashed again across the Middle East as the Dubai debt crisis rumbled on.
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa, issued a statement through the state news agency backing Dubai's leadership. But organizers of the film festival were reticent in coming up with a statement with organizers, declining comment at time of going to press. It is unclear whether this year's event would...
Putting on a positive front early Tuesday, festival organizers unveiled a glittering lineup of movies, including James Cameron's "Avatar," enough to make other festivals blue with envy. The lineup also boasts Rob Marshall's big-screen adaptation of stage musical "Nine" as its Dec. 9 opener.
As Tuesday dawned here, stocks crashed again across the Middle East as the Dubai debt crisis rumbled on.
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa, issued a statement through the state news agency backing Dubai's leadership. But organizers of the film festival were reticent in coming up with a statement with organizers, declining comment at time of going to press. It is unclear whether this year's event would...
- 12/1/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Complete Dubai fest coverage
Dubai -- Marking a landmark moment in the development of the fledgling Dubai film industry, a delegation of top industry players hit the Dubai International Film Festival on Sunday to talk up production of the emirates' first major feature film.
Ali F. Mostafa's multilingual "City of Life" is the first film to be written, directed and produced by an Emirati for an international audience.
True to the multicultural landscape of Dubai, the film -- which is being financed by the United Arab Emirates -- revolves around the lives of three people from very different backgrounds who each call Dubai home.
The central characters are a privileged Emirati man, a disillusioned Indian taxi driver and a Western woman whose lives are about to collide for better or worse. The film is aiming for a global release and is in talks to secure a distribution partner in the U.
Dubai -- Marking a landmark moment in the development of the fledgling Dubai film industry, a delegation of top industry players hit the Dubai International Film Festival on Sunday to talk up production of the emirates' first major feature film.
Ali F. Mostafa's multilingual "City of Life" is the first film to be written, directed and produced by an Emirati for an international audience.
True to the multicultural landscape of Dubai, the film -- which is being financed by the United Arab Emirates -- revolves around the lives of three people from very different backgrounds who each call Dubai home.
The central characters are a privileged Emirati man, a disillusioned Indian taxi driver and a Western woman whose lives are about to collide for better or worse. The film is aiming for a global release and is in talks to secure a distribution partner in the U.
- 12/14/2008
- by By Liza Foreman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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