Just over six years have passed since Saudi Arabia announced the lifting of its 35-year cinema ban as part of a strategy to open up the country and move its economy away from a reliance on oil.
In a sign that things were already bubbling prior to the Ministry of Culture’s official announcement in December 2017, the country’s Saudi Film Festival (Sff), taking place in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran, will mark its 10th anniversary from May 2 to 9.
The event grew out of under-the-radar screenings in the early 2000s at a local culture association of arthouse DVDs, subtitled into Arabic by an underground outfit.
“We were fighting to screen films in public,” recounts Sff’s founding director Ahmed Almulla, the artist and poet who spearheaded the screenings. “Things changed in the blink of eye. It’s a revolution, what’s happened in Saudi Arabia with art and culture.
In a sign that things were already bubbling prior to the Ministry of Culture’s official announcement in December 2017, the country’s Saudi Film Festival (Sff), taking place in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran, will mark its 10th anniversary from May 2 to 9.
The event grew out of under-the-radar screenings in the early 2000s at a local culture association of arthouse DVDs, subtitled into Arabic by an underground outfit.
“We were fighting to screen films in public,” recounts Sff’s founding director Ahmed Almulla, the artist and poet who spearheaded the screenings. “Things changed in the blink of eye. It’s a revolution, what’s happened in Saudi Arabia with art and culture.
- 4/23/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rising Saudi Star Mohammed Elshehri has been announced as master of ceremonies at the 10th edition Saudi Film Festival, running from May 2 to 9 in the Eastern Province city of Dhahran.
Elshehri is the star of hit Mbc Ramadan comedy TV series Road Trip (Sekket Safar), which has just completed its third season run.
He also hosted the first season of Mbc reality game show One Million Dollar Land and also starred in Saudi musical movie Valley Road after getting his acting breakthrough in Mbc platform Shahid’s hit crime and drama The Fates Hotel.
“Like many great festivals we exist to promote our local talent. Mo is a rising star in our country and the region,” said Saudi Film Festival head Ahmed Almulla.
“We’re so proud of what he has accomplished and believe he will be one of the greatest actors of our time. We are very honored...
Elshehri is the star of hit Mbc Ramadan comedy TV series Road Trip (Sekket Safar), which has just completed its third season run.
He also hosted the first season of Mbc reality game show One Million Dollar Land and also starred in Saudi musical movie Valley Road after getting his acting breakthrough in Mbc platform Shahid’s hit crime and drama The Fates Hotel.
“Like many great festivals we exist to promote our local talent. Mo is a rising star in our country and the region,” said Saudi Film Festival head Ahmed Almulla.
“We’re so proud of what he has accomplished and believe he will be one of the greatest actors of our time. We are very honored...
- 4/18/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Embark on an odyssey into the modern Arabian Gulf with Jisr Film Festival, an inaugural cultural festival making its debut in Singapore. Jisr offers an immersive experience introducing the rich cultural tapestry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Gcc) countries to local audiences through a three-part program – a film festival (23-24 March and 30-31 March), a business conference (27 March) and an exclusive film studio day tour organised in partnership with Iskandar Malaysia Studios (28 March). The event is
presented by food security consultancy firm, Swapac, Singapore-based creative agency, Cinepluto in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, The Middle East Institute, Smart Cities Network and The Projector.
A film festival that aims to break age-old stereotypes
Using art as a medium to connect, Jisr will kickstart festivities by bringing an engaging film festival to Singapore, featuring the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the Gcc countries. Over two weekends, audiences...
presented by food security consultancy firm, Swapac, Singapore-based creative agency, Cinepluto in partnership with the Singapore Business Federation, The Middle East Institute, Smart Cities Network and The Projector.
A film festival that aims to break age-old stereotypes
Using art as a medium to connect, Jisr will kickstart festivities by bringing an engaging film festival to Singapore, featuring the works and perspectives of established and emerging filmmakers from the Gcc countries. Over two weekends, audiences...
- 3/21/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Dubbing Platform Camb.ai, which has recently been used for coverage of the 2024 Australian Open tennis tournament as well as by horror feature Three, has raised $4M in a seed funding round.
Led by New York venture capital firm Courtside Ventures, the investor group includes Trtl Ventures, Blue Star Innovation Partners, Ikemori Ventures, and Eisaburo Maeda.
Trtl and Dubai Future District Fund were early investors in the start-up.
Launched in 2022, UAE-based Camb.ai specializes in instantaneously dubbing any performance in over 100 languages, dialects and accents.
The company says it has broken several technological barriers with its Mars Tts and Boli Translator programs, which it adds go beyond simply translating speech to also “capture and convey the speaker’s original tone and nuance”.
The platform also claims to have one of the largest collections of source languages, including languages such as Afrikaans, Malay, and Basque.
“This technology is truly remarkable,” said Vasu Kulkarni,...
Led by New York venture capital firm Courtside Ventures, the investor group includes Trtl Ventures, Blue Star Innovation Partners, Ikemori Ventures, and Eisaburo Maeda.
Trtl and Dubai Future District Fund were early investors in the start-up.
Launched in 2022, UAE-based Camb.ai specializes in instantaneously dubbing any performance in over 100 languages, dialects and accents.
The company says it has broken several technological barriers with its Mars Tts and Boli Translator programs, which it adds go beyond simply translating speech to also “capture and convey the speaker’s original tone and nuance”.
The platform also claims to have one of the largest collections of source languages, including languages such as Afrikaans, Malay, and Basque.
“This technology is truly remarkable,” said Vasu Kulkarni,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Artifical intelligence dubbing company Camb.AI has raised $4 million in a seed funding round led by New York-based venture capital firm Courtside Ventures. The investor group also includes Singapore-based Trtl Ventures, Texas-based growth equity firm Blue Star Innovation Partners, Japanese venture capital firm Ikemori Ventures, and Japanese web designer Eisaburo Maeda, it said on Tuesday.
Trtl and the Dubai Future District Fund were early investors in the company.
Camb.AI, headquartered in Dubai, says its speech AI technology allows it to instantaneously dub “any performance in over 100 languages, dialects, and accents using the original voices with their nuances.” Its services “capture and convey the speaker’s original tone and nuance – preserving emotion with less than three seconds of input,” the firm touts. “This ensures that the translated content remains as powerful and engaging as the original, maintaining the speaker’s intended impact.”
The new funding will “power Camb.AI’s...
Trtl and the Dubai Future District Fund were early investors in the company.
Camb.AI, headquartered in Dubai, says its speech AI technology allows it to instantaneously dub “any performance in over 100 languages, dialects, and accents using the original voices with their nuances.” Its services “capture and convey the speaker’s original tone and nuance – preserving emotion with less than three seconds of input,” the firm touts. “This ensures that the translated content remains as powerful and engaging as the original, maintaining the speaker’s intended impact.”
The new funding will “power Camb.AI’s...
- 2/6/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UK actor Jefferson Hall, whose credits include ’House Of The Dragon’, among the cast.
Leading Middle East exhibitor and distributor Vox Cinemas has acquired Gulf rights to psychological thriller Three ahead of its world premiere at Red Sea International Film Festival on Tuesday (December 5).
The feature directorial debut of Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja will be released by Vox in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and other Gulf countries on February 1. The deal was closed directly with the filmmakers.
UK actor Jefferson Hall, whose credits include Oppenheimer and HBO series House of The Dragon, stars alongside veteran UAE actor Maree Al Halyan,...
Leading Middle East exhibitor and distributor Vox Cinemas has acquired Gulf rights to psychological thriller Three ahead of its world premiere at Red Sea International Film Festival on Tuesday (December 5).
The feature directorial debut of Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja will be released by Vox in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and other Gulf countries on February 1. The deal was closed directly with the filmmakers.
UK actor Jefferson Hall, whose credits include Oppenheimer and HBO series House of The Dragon, stars alongside veteran UAE actor Maree Al Halyan,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Mona Sheded
- ScreenDaily
Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, will have a special screening at the festival
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff) has unveiled the line-up for its Competition and Arab Spectacular strands.
The festival will take place from November 30-December 9 in the port city of Jeddah under the theme ’Your Stories, Your Festival.’
Red Sea Iff’s line-up throws a spotlight on films made in the Mena region and includes 36 feature length and short films from Saudi Arabia, including documentaries and titles produced by the Red Sea Film Foundation.
The Competition strand includes 17 films from Asia,...
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff) has unveiled the line-up for its Competition and Arab Spectacular strands.
The festival will take place from November 30-December 9 in the port city of Jeddah under the theme ’Your Stories, Your Festival.’
Red Sea Iff’s line-up throws a spotlight on films made in the Mena region and includes 36 feature length and short films from Saudi Arabia, including documentaries and titles produced by the Red Sea Film Foundation.
The Competition strand includes 17 films from Asia,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Maïwenn’s Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, will have a special screening at the festival
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff) has unveiled the line-up for its Competition and Arab Spectacular strands.
The festival, which takes place from November 30-December 9, will also give special screenings to Maïwenn’s historical romance Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, which was supported by Red Sea’s financing arm and opened Cannes, and to Dhafer L’abidine’s Saudi-uae co-production To My Son, which world premieres at the festival.
Red Sea Iff’s line-up throws a spotlight on films made in...
The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea Iff) has unveiled the line-up for its Competition and Arab Spectacular strands.
The festival, which takes place from November 30-December 9, will also give special screenings to Maïwenn’s historical romance Jeanne du Barry, starring Johnny Depp, which was supported by Red Sea’s financing arm and opened Cannes, and to Dhafer L’abidine’s Saudi-uae co-production To My Son, which world premieres at the festival.
Red Sea Iff’s line-up throws a spotlight on films made in...
- 11/6/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Emirati Movie
British actor Jefferson Hall will soon appear on screen in Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja’s psychological thriller “Three,” about a young boy who appears to be possessed.
Al Khaja – who is known for standout shorts including horror film “The Shadow” and “Animal” that both play on Netflix – has just wrapped the independently-produced “Three,” her debut feature, which was shot in Thailand.
Besides, Hall, “Three” also stars Faten Ahmed; Noura Alabed (“Wiladah”); veteran U.A.E. actor Mari Al Halyan (“On Borrowed Time”); Mohannad Bin Huthail (“Rashash”) and emerging Emirati talent Saud Alzarooni.
“Three” marks a rare case of a drama in which a Brit becomes enmeshed with the core of an Emirati family. The film unfolds in an unspecified modern-day Middle Eastern city, where a young boy named Ahmed begins exhibiting strange behavior, eventually leading his mother Maryam, to believe he is possessed. As the plot thickens,...
British actor Jefferson Hall will soon appear on screen in Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja’s psychological thriller “Three,” about a young boy who appears to be possessed.
Al Khaja – who is known for standout shorts including horror film “The Shadow” and “Animal” that both play on Netflix – has just wrapped the independently-produced “Three,” her debut feature, which was shot in Thailand.
Besides, Hall, “Three” also stars Faten Ahmed; Noura Alabed (“Wiladah”); veteran U.A.E. actor Mari Al Halyan (“On Borrowed Time”); Mohannad Bin Huthail (“Rashash”) and emerging Emirati talent Saud Alzarooni.
“Three” marks a rare case of a drama in which a Brit becomes enmeshed with the core of an Emirati family. The film unfolds in an unspecified modern-day Middle Eastern city, where a young boy named Ahmed begins exhibiting strange behavior, eventually leading his mother Maryam, to believe he is possessed. As the plot thickens,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Jefferson Hall has been announced as the lead actor in Emirati film director and producer Nayla Al Khaja’s psychological thriller Three.
Set in a bustling modern-day Middle Eastern city, the drama revolves around the case of a young boy whose increasingly strange behavior leads his mother to believe he is possessed.
UK actor Hall, whose credits include House of the Dragon, Halloween and Oppenheimer, plays a Western doctor who is consulted by the mother as she tries to get to the bottom of what is wrong with her son.
Hall stars alongside a mainly Emirati cast featuring model and actress Faten Ahmed as the mother, Noura Alabed (Wiladah), veteran actor Mari Al Halyan (On Borrowed Time) and newcomer Saud Alzarooni as well as Jordanian actor Mohannad Bin Huthail (Rashash).
Three is Al Khaja’s first feature after a number of well-travelled short films including The Neighbour, Animal and The Shadow.
Set in a bustling modern-day Middle Eastern city, the drama revolves around the case of a young boy whose increasingly strange behavior leads his mother to believe he is possessed.
UK actor Hall, whose credits include House of the Dragon, Halloween and Oppenheimer, plays a Western doctor who is consulted by the mother as she tries to get to the bottom of what is wrong with her son.
Hall stars alongside a mainly Emirati cast featuring model and actress Faten Ahmed as the mother, Noura Alabed (Wiladah), veteran actor Mari Al Halyan (On Borrowed Time) and newcomer Saud Alzarooni as well as Jordanian actor Mohannad Bin Huthail (Rashash).
Three is Al Khaja’s first feature after a number of well-travelled short films including The Neighbour, Animal and The Shadow.
- 6/21/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Psychological thriller shot in Thailand and the UAE.
UK actor Jefferson Hall of House Of The Dragon is to star in Three, the debut feature of Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja.
Hall, who is also known for Halloween and upcoming Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer, plays a doctor in the psychological thriller, which shot for 24 days in Thailand and the UAE and wrapped filming last week.
The newly revealed cast also includes Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, veteran UAE actor Mari Al Halyan, Mohannad Bin Huthail and Saud Alzarooni. A first look at Hall in the film can be seen above.
It...
UK actor Jefferson Hall of House Of The Dragon is to star in Three, the debut feature of Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja.
Hall, who is also known for Halloween and upcoming Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer, plays a doctor in the psychological thriller, which shot for 24 days in Thailand and the UAE and wrapped filming last week.
The newly revealed cast also includes Faten Ahmed, Noura Alabed, veteran UAE actor Mari Al Halyan, Mohannad Bin Huthail and Saud Alzarooni. A first look at Hall in the film can be seen above.
It...
- 6/21/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Al Khaja made a short film version to show to potential private investors.
Nayla Al Khaja, one of the UAE’s first female filmmakers, has raised the funding from private individuals for her debut feature project Baab, which has Oscar-winning Ar Rahman on board as composer. It is co-written with writer and editor Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Finding the budget this way, she says, has allowed her to sidestep gender imbalances prevalent in the financing world.
“What I did was to take the power, and to do so I raised the money myself. I took off my director’s hat...
Nayla Al Khaja, one of the UAE’s first female filmmakers, has raised the funding from private individuals for her debut feature project Baab, which has Oscar-winning Ar Rahman on board as composer. It is co-written with writer and editor Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Finding the budget this way, she says, has allowed her to sidestep gender imbalances prevalent in the financing world.
“What I did was to take the power, and to do so I raised the money myself. I took off my director’s hat...
- 5/26/2022
- by Alina Trabattoni
- ScreenDaily
Al Khaja made a short film version to show to potential private investors.
Nayla Al Khaja, one of the UAE’s first female filmmakers, has raised the funding from private individuals for her debut feature project Baab, which has Oscar-winning Ar Rahman on board as composer. It is co-written with writer and editor Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Finding the budget this way, she says, has allowed her to sidestep gender imbalances prevalent in the financing world.
“What I did was to take the power, and to do so I raised the money myself. I took off my director’s hat...
Nayla Al Khaja, one of the UAE’s first female filmmakers, has raised the funding from private individuals for her debut feature project Baab, which has Oscar-winning Ar Rahman on board as composer. It is co-written with writer and editor Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Finding the budget this way, she says, has allowed her to sidestep gender imbalances prevalent in the financing world.
“What I did was to take the power, and to do so I raised the money myself. I took off my director’s hat...
- 5/26/2022
- by Alina Trabattoni
- ScreenDaily
The UAE’s first woman filmmaker, Nayla Al Khaja, and music maestro A R Rahman are looking forward to their upcoming collaboration on ‘Baab’, reports ‘Variety’. Written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the film follows Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister’s mysterious death and is plagued by a […]...
- 5/25/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Nayla Al Khaja, the first female filmmaker in the United Arab Emirates, and Oscar-, BAFTA- and Grammy- winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”) are looking forward to their upcoming collaboration on “Baab.”
Written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the film follows Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister’s mysterious death and is plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears.
Rahman and Khaja were present at the Cannes Film Market to promote “Baab.” The composer’s directorial debut, the VR “Le Musk” also had its world premiere at the market’s Cannes Xr strand.
“It’s about the four stages of grief, but we don’t say it so black and white,” Al Khaja told Variety about the film. “She creates a fantasy world to justify her sister’s death, because she’s young. They’re identical. They spend their whole life together.
Written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the film follows Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister’s mysterious death and is plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears.
Rahman and Khaja were present at the Cannes Film Market to promote “Baab.” The composer’s directorial debut, the VR “Le Musk” also had its world premiere at the market’s Cannes Xr strand.
“It’s about the four stages of grief, but we don’t say it so black and white,” Al Khaja told Variety about the film. “She creates a fantasy world to justify her sister’s death, because she’s young. They’re identical. They spend their whole life together.
- 5/23/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
UAE’s Nayla Al Khaja has teamed up with the Oscar-winning Indian composer for her upcoming feature film ‘Baab'.PTITwitter/ NaylaAlKhaja, Ar Rahman The first woman filmmaker in the United Arab Emirates, Nayla Al Khaja is teaming with Oscar-winning music composer Ar Rahman for her upcoming feature film Baab. The film is written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali. As per Variety’s report, Baab follows the story of Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister's mysterious death and is plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears. She discovers hidden cassette tapes and her relentless pursuit of the truth begins to untangle unresolved grief taking her deep into the mountains to delve into the complexities of the human soul. Speaking about the film, Ar Rahman told Variety, “I'm delighted to be working with Nayla on her feature film Baab, she's a passionate and...
- 5/11/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
The first woman filmmaker in the United Arab Emirates, Nayla Al Khaja is teaming with Oscar-winning Indian composer A R Rahman for her upcoming feature film ‘Baab’. Rahman added: “I’m delighted to be working with Nayla on her feature film ‘Baab,’ she’s a passionate and promising filmmaker and an important creative voice within the Gulf […]...
- 5/11/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Nayla Al Khaja, the first female filmmaker in the United Arab Emirates, is teaming with Oscar, BAFTA and Grammy winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”) on her upcoming feature film “Baab.”
Written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the film follows Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister’s mysterious death and is plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears. She discovers hidden cassette tapes and her relentless pursuit of the truth begins to untangle unresolved grief taking her deep into the mountains to delve into the complexities of the human soul.
Elly Senger-Weiss (“Tutti per Uma”) and Sultan Al Darmaki (“The Devil’s Machine”) are producing the mystery, with Muna Easa Al Gurg set to executive produce. The film will begin shooting in March 2023 in the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which will provide the film’s backdrop of dramatic...
Written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali, the film follows Wahida, who is unable to make sense of her twin sister’s mysterious death and is plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears. She discovers hidden cassette tapes and her relentless pursuit of the truth begins to untangle unresolved grief taking her deep into the mountains to delve into the complexities of the human soul.
Elly Senger-Weiss (“Tutti per Uma”) and Sultan Al Darmaki (“The Devil’s Machine”) are producing the mystery, with Muna Easa Al Gurg set to executive produce. The film will begin shooting in March 2023 in the northern Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which will provide the film’s backdrop of dramatic...
- 5/11/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Arabic-language series based on two infamous killer sisters in 1920 Alexandria.
Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Rocket Science’s joint Middle East film and TV company Yalla Yalla has signed Oscar-winning writer and director Terry George and celebrated Egyptian writer Mariam Naoum to co-write serial killer series The Alexandria Killings.
Set in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 1920 when it was under British rule, the drama will revolve around two real-life sisters who pulled themselves out of poverty by running high-class brothels frequented by an influential circle of Egyptian and British officers, informants and statesmen.
When profits from these infamous venues started to flag,...
Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Rocket Science’s joint Middle East film and TV company Yalla Yalla has signed Oscar-winning writer and director Terry George and celebrated Egyptian writer Mariam Naoum to co-write serial killer series The Alexandria Killings.
Set in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in 1920 when it was under British rule, the drama will revolve around two real-life sisters who pulled themselves out of poverty by running high-class brothels frequented by an influential circle of Egyptian and British officers, informants and statesmen.
When profits from these infamous venues started to flag,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Oscar-winning Irish writer-director Terry George and Egyptian writer Mariam Naoum have teamed up to co-write Arabic serial killer series “The Alexandria Killings” on which George will serve as showrunner.
The high-end show in Arabic and English is based on the true story of shadowy Egyptian sisters Raya and Sakina Bint Hamman who in the 1920s robbed and murdered at least 17 women and were subsequently sentenced to death. The notorious case has already spawned several local films, plays and books.
“The Alexandria Killings” is being produced by Dubai-based Front Row Filmed Entertainment and London-based Rocket Science via their Middle East joint venture Yalla Yalla. The producers are Front Row’s Gianluca Chakra, Rocket Science’s Thorsten Schumacher and Terry George.
The show’s executive producers will be Hisham AlGhanim, Michela Scolari, who is represented by Larry Hummel, and Nayla Al Khaja, who is represented by Adel Nur.
Set in 1920 Alexandria, when Egypt was under British rule,...
The high-end show in Arabic and English is based on the true story of shadowy Egyptian sisters Raya and Sakina Bint Hamman who in the 1920s robbed and murdered at least 17 women and were subsequently sentenced to death. The notorious case has already spawned several local films, plays and books.
“The Alexandria Killings” is being produced by Dubai-based Front Row Filmed Entertainment and London-based Rocket Science via their Middle East joint venture Yalla Yalla. The producers are Front Row’s Gianluca Chakra, Rocket Science’s Thorsten Schumacher and Terry George.
The show’s executive producers will be Hisham AlGhanim, Michela Scolari, who is represented by Larry Hummel, and Nayla Al Khaja, who is represented by Adel Nur.
Set in 1920 Alexandria, when Egypt was under British rule,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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
Abu Dhabi Film Festival announces winners of Emirates Film Competition and International Short Film CompetitionScroll down for full list of winners
Abu Dhabi Film Festival has unveiled the winners of the Emirates Film Competition and the International Short Film Competition
At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, where the festival is based, the top award in the short narrative competition went to Shahad Ameen’s Eye & Mermaid, which also won best cinematography.
The 14-minute film centres on 10-year-old Hanan, who lives in a fishing village on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula and tries to discover the origin of the black pearls that her father brings back from his nighttime fishing trips.
The Best Emirati Film award went to Nayla Al Khaja’s The Neighbour, an 18-minute film about a woman who moves to Dubai to make a fresh start and befriends an elderly neighbour
The award for Best Script went to Cholo, while the first...
Abu Dhabi Film Festival has unveiled the winners of the Emirates Film Competition and the International Short Film Competition
At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, where the festival is based, the top award in the short narrative competition went to Shahad Ameen’s Eye & Mermaid, which also won best cinematography.
The 14-minute film centres on 10-year-old Hanan, who lives in a fishing village on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula and tries to discover the origin of the black pearls that her father brings back from his nighttime fishing trips.
The Best Emirati Film award went to Nayla Al Khaja’s The Neighbour, an 18-minute film about a woman who moves to Dubai to make a fresh start and befriends an elderly neighbour
The award for Best Script went to Cholo, while the first...
- 10/31/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- 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
Hany Abu-Assad’s Omar won best film in the Muhr Arab feature competition at this year’s Dubai International Film Festival (Diff), while Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo won best film in the Muhr AsiaAfrica section.
Abu-Assad also won best director in the Arab feature section, while Yasmine Raees won best actress for Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl. Best actor went to Hassan Badida for Moroccan filmmaker Hicham Lasri’s They Are The Dogs, which also picked up the Special Jury Prize.
Special Mentions went to Mohamed Amin Benamraoui for Adios Carmen and to Moroccan actress Raouia for her roles in Rock The Casbah and Pillow Secrets.
Ilo Ilo was also a multiple prize-winner, adding to an already weighty awards stash, by taking best actress for Yeo Yann Yann’s performance. Best actor in the AsiaAfrica section went to Irrfan Khan for his role in Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox, which also won...
Abu-Assad also won best director in the Arab feature section, while Yasmine Raees won best actress for Egyptian filmmaker Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl. Best actor went to Hassan Badida for Moroccan filmmaker Hicham Lasri’s They Are The Dogs, which also picked up the Special Jury Prize.
Special Mentions went to Mohamed Amin Benamraoui for Adios Carmen and to Moroccan actress Raouia for her roles in Rock The Casbah and Pillow Secrets.
Ilo Ilo was also a multiple prize-winner, adding to an already weighty awards stash, by taking best actress for Yeo Yann Yann’s performance. Best actor in the AsiaAfrica section went to Irrfan Khan for his role in Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox, which also won...
- 12/13/2013
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Freida Pinto
Actress Freida Pinto is part of the Muhr Emirati & Shorts Jury for the upcoming ninth edition of Dubai film festival (December 9-16). The Jury president for this section of short films is Mark Adams, chief film critic for Screen International. The Jury also comprises of Nayla Al Khaja, UAE’s first female producer and director.
The Muhr Arab Feature Jury will be presided by Brazilian director Bruno Barreto. The Jury comprises Egyptian actor Aser Yassin, CEO of the Austrian Film Commission Martin Schweighofer, Tunisian director Moufida Tlatli and filmmaker Adnan Madanat.
The Muhr Arab Documentary, presided by English director Michael Apted will comprise documentary filmmaker Azza El-Hassan and Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival since January 2012, Chris Fujiwara. Apted is also the recipient of the 2012 Diff Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature Jury will be presided by Korean director Chang-dong Lee. It will comprise festival organizer from Istanbul Azize Tan,...
Actress Freida Pinto is part of the Muhr Emirati & Shorts Jury for the upcoming ninth edition of Dubai film festival (December 9-16). The Jury president for this section of short films is Mark Adams, chief film critic for Screen International. The Jury also comprises of Nayla Al Khaja, UAE’s first female producer and director.
The Muhr Arab Feature Jury will be presided by Brazilian director Bruno Barreto. The Jury comprises Egyptian actor Aser Yassin, CEO of the Austrian Film Commission Martin Schweighofer, Tunisian director Moufida Tlatli and filmmaker Adnan Madanat.
The Muhr Arab Documentary, presided by English director Michael Apted will comprise documentary filmmaker Azza El-Hassan and Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival since January 2012, Chris Fujiwara. Apted is also the recipient of the 2012 Diff Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature Jury will be presided by Korean director Chang-dong Lee. It will comprise festival organizer from Istanbul Azize Tan,...
- 12/6/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
It's here. No, not Carol Anne's TV People but the trailer for Tobe Hooper's latest chiller, "Djinn," a horror film based on the Arabic myth of the genie, a supernatural creature that, in this case, is far more dangerous than any earworms incurred from Disney's "Aladdin."
"Djinn" is an interesting beast, for sure. It's full of those age-old horror tropes that Hooper fans are well-acquainted with, like a haunted abode, angry supernatural forces, and a creepy stalker slash pretty lady who has some undue interest in the contents of a woman's uterus.
On the other hand, it's based on the ancient myth of the djinn, a being straight outta Arabic myths and even mentioned in the Koran, and the movie was filmed entirely in the United Arab Emirates.
On the surface, it's your typical horror film. Khalid (Khalid Laith) and Salama (Razane Jammal) are a young couple returning home...
"Djinn" is an interesting beast, for sure. It's full of those age-old horror tropes that Hooper fans are well-acquainted with, like a haunted abode, angry supernatural forces, and a creepy stalker slash pretty lady who has some undue interest in the contents of a woman's uterus.
On the other hand, it's based on the ancient myth of the djinn, a being straight outta Arabic myths and even mentioned in the Koran, and the movie was filmed entirely in the United Arab Emirates.
On the surface, it's your typical horror film. Khalid (Khalid Laith) and Salama (Razane Jammal) are a young couple returning home...
- 1/11/2012
- by Jenni Miller
- NextMovie
Tobe Hooper will forever be linked to two of the most memorable horror films ever made: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist. (Questions of direction of the latter film aside, that is.) His more recent stuff hasn't been quite up to that level of recognizance, and in fact it has been over five years since he directed any feature or TV work. But he also hasn't worn out his welcome so we're hopeful that his new venture will pack a punch. Tobe Hooper is now set to direct Djinn, a horror film that will take place in and be shot on location in Abu Dhabi. A press release says the picture is a "unique new take on the haunted house thriller uncovers the dark truth behind classic fairytales of the Genie" and tells a story about "the nightmarish story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.
- 3/1/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Here we are again, true believers, with a collection of random news bits from around the movie world. Thundercats Hoooo!
First and probably most interestingly, Deadline is reporting that F/X has ordered a pilot for the television adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis' comic book series, "Powers." The story is a pretty interesting one, and the series won an Eisner award in its rookie run in 2001. It's about a world filled with superpowered heroes and villains, where Christian Walker is a de-powered former hero who becomes a homicide detective who specializes crimes involving those heroes and villains. I've yet to read it, but it's on my (ever-increasing) list of titles to pick up. The project will be directed by Michael Dinner (who directed the "Sons Of Anarchy" pilot as well as a couple of episodes of "Justified") from a script by Charles H. Eglee. The series creator, Bendis, is...
First and probably most interestingly, Deadline is reporting that F/X has ordered a pilot for the television adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis' comic book series, "Powers." The story is a pretty interesting one, and the series won an Eisner award in its rookie run in 2001. It's about a world filled with superpowered heroes and villains, where Christian Walker is a de-powered former hero who becomes a homicide detective who specializes crimes involving those heroes and villains. I've yet to read it, but it's on my (ever-increasing) list of titles to pick up. The project will be directed by Michael Dinner (who directed the "Sons Of Anarchy" pilot as well as a couple of episodes of "Justified") from a script by Charles H. Eglee. The series creator, Bendis, is...
- 3/1/2011
- by TK
According to The Hollywood Reporter Tobe Hooper will be directing an Arabian horror film called Djin, written by David Tully.
The basic plot of Djin is as follows;
Quote:
It tells the story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is also home to malevolent beings known as Djinn.
Do the words "built on the site" remind you of anything? I wonder if Tobe Hooper is channeling his inner semi-attachment to Poltergeist. Isn't it hilarious that instead of a graveyard the house is built on the site of an abandoned fishing village....because it's in the UAE and they don't have graveyards there? Yes, I'm just kidding because I know nothing about the UAE (Except that they kill people for being gay), but you can't deny...
The basic plot of Djin is as follows;
Quote:
It tells the story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is also home to malevolent beings known as Djinn.
Do the words "built on the site" remind you of anything? I wonder if Tobe Hooper is channeling his inner semi-attachment to Poltergeist. Isn't it hilarious that instead of a graveyard the house is built on the site of an abandoned fishing village....because it's in the UAE and they don't have graveyards there? Yes, I'm just kidding because I know nothing about the UAE (Except that they kill people for being gay), but you can't deny...
- 2/28/2011
- by Andre Dumas
- Planet Fury
It's been a few years since Hooper put in a few episodes for the Masters of Horror series but word is out that he's directing an Arabian horror movie titled Djin, written by David Tully. The haunted house thriller is set to begin filming in March in the United Arab Emirates...
Djin follows an Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. to find their new luxury apartment was built over an abandoned fishing village stirring up evil spirits known as Djin. Kind of sounds a lot like Poltergeist which might not be so bad since that's a great film anyway.
What's more interesting is that Hooper will be shadowed on set by Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja. She'll be the cultural consultant and is training with Hooper to prepare for directing her first feature length horror film. You probably couldn't learn how to make a scary movie from anyone better!
Djin follows an Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. to find their new luxury apartment was built over an abandoned fishing village stirring up evil spirits known as Djin. Kind of sounds a lot like Poltergeist which might not be so bad since that's a great film anyway.
What's more interesting is that Hooper will be shadowed on set by Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja. She'll be the cultural consultant and is training with Hooper to prepare for directing her first feature length horror film. You probably couldn't learn how to make a scary movie from anyone better!
- 2/28/2011
- by Keepers of the Bid
- Horrorbid
A while back we mentioned that a big name horror director would be lending his talents to the upcoming flick Djinn. Finally said director has been announced, and it's gonna be great seeing his work back up on the big screen!
From the Press Release
The Master of Horror -- Tobe Hooper -- the director behind the legendary classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as well as the three-time Academy Award-nominated, Steven Spielberg-produced Poltergeist, will helm Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s Arabian horror film Djinn. Penned by U.S writer David Tully (Hepzibah), this unique new take on the haunted house thriller uncovers the dark truth behind classic fairy tales of the Genie. Djinn tells the nightmarish story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is...
From the Press Release
The Master of Horror -- Tobe Hooper -- the director behind the legendary classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as well as the three-time Academy Award-nominated, Steven Spielberg-produced Poltergeist, will helm Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s Arabian horror film Djinn. Penned by U.S writer David Tully (Hepzibah), this unique new take on the haunted house thriller uncovers the dark truth behind classic fairy tales of the Genie. Djinn tells the nightmarish story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is...
- 2/28/2011
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Tobe Hooper, who hasn’t directed a feature film since Mortuary several years back, is returning to horror with a new tale that deals with a Djinn. You can check out the lowdown below, and here are my retrospectives on Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Spontaneous Combustion to keep you company until his new flick is released.
“Tobe Hooper is tasked with directorial duties on Arabian horror movie Djinn, penned by U.S. writer David Tully and backed by Imagenation Abu Dhabi.
Hooper, whose resume scares up mentions for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, will take up the reins on the haunted house thriller, with shooting scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates in March.
It tells the story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built...
“Tobe Hooper is tasked with directorial duties on Arabian horror movie Djinn, penned by U.S. writer David Tully and backed by Imagenation Abu Dhabi.
Hooper, whose resume scares up mentions for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist, will take up the reins on the haunted house thriller, with shooting scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates in March.
It tells the story of a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built...
- 2/28/2011
- by Jason Bene
- Killer Films
Tobe Hooper ("Poltergeist," "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre") is set to direct the Arabian horror movie "Djinn" for Imagenation Abu Dhabi says The Hollywood Reporter.
David Tully penned the haunted house thriller about a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is also home to malevolent beings known as Djinn.
Nayla Al Khaja will work as a cultural consultant and will train with him as she prepares to helm her first feature length horror film. Shooting is scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates in March.
David Tully penned the haunted house thriller about a young Emirati couple who return home from the U.S. and discover that their new apartment in a luxury high-rise built on the site of an abandoned fishing village is also home to malevolent beings known as Djinn.
Nayla Al Khaja will work as a cultural consultant and will train with him as she prepares to helm her first feature length horror film. Shooting is scheduled to begin in the United Arab Emirates in March.
- 2/28/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
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