ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Image Nation Abu Dhabi hailed 2025 as a year in which the local film studio played a central role in paving the way for Emirati filmmakers, producers and creatives in the film and television industry.
Across its 2025 slate, the studio focused on placing Emirati talent in key creative and decision-making roles, ensuring that the UAE's stories are developed and delivered by Emiratis with care, professional depth and global ambition.
Talal Al Asmani, Head of Local Content at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said, "Supporting Emirati and regional talent is not an initiative for us, it is a responsibility. Everything we do, from development to production, is built around creating real pathways for these talents to lead, create and sustain long-term careers.
"What audiences see today is the result of long-term investment in people, voices and stories that reflect the depth and diversity of the UAE."
'HOBA'
A defining achievement of the year was the international success of "HOBA", directed by Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari. The film marked the first Arabic language Emirati title within Image Nation Abu Dhabi's partnership with Spooky Pictures and represented a significant step forward for genre cinema grounded in regional identity.
Central to the film's development was Emirati executive Fatima Al Dhaheri, who played a key role throughout production as a cultural reference point and creative collaborator.
Further strengthening the film's creative foundation, casting was led by Emirati casting director Alwiya Thani alongside Omar Al Bayati, bringing together a carefully considered ensemble drawn from the UAE and the wider region. The process balanced regional range with a strong Emirati presence, anchored by acclaimed Emirati performers including Bdoor Mohammed in her first leading role in a feature film, as well as Jasem AlKharraz.
Following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, where it won Best Picture in the festival's horror competition, "HOBA" was officially selected for the 58th edition of the Sitges Film Festival, the world's leading genre festival, and later screened as part of the BFI London Film Festival lineup, placing the film among some of the most anticipated titles in global cinema.
Regionally, HOBA premiered in Saudi Arabia and went on to win two awards at the 2025 Gulf Film Festival in Oman, including Best Feature Film and Best Actress for Bdoor Mohammed.
Screenlife Accelerator Programme
Image Nation Abu Dhabi continued to strengthen talent development through the UAE's first Screenlife Accelerator Programme, launched in collaboration with filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov. The programme provided mentorship and practical training for emerging filmmakers, including Emirati participants whose projects advanced into further script development.
'Million Dollar Listing: UAE'
Opportunities for regional creatives were also extended through non-scripted TV, with the second season of "Million Dollar Listing: UAE", produced in partnership with STARZPLAY. The series supported local creative roles across production, content and editorial teams while continuing to spotlight the UAE through an international franchise platform.
Emirati documentary executive Aziza Al Tamimi supported the documentary team throughout production, contributing to research, coordination and workflow management, and helping ensure the series reflected local context with accuracy and cultural awareness.
'A Story Called Zain'
Image Nation Abu Dhabi explored new forms of audience-led storytelling through "A Story Called Zain", the region's first AI-driven crowdsourced social media film. Developed and produced locally, the project invited the public to shape the narrative in real time, with participating viewers credited in the final film, opening the creative process to a wider community and introducing new entry points into storytelling.
Partnership with Spooky
Internationally, Image Nation Abu Dhabi continued to expand its presence through its partnership with Spooky Pictures, creating pathways for Emirati-backed projects to reach major global platforms. The collaboration included "The Plague", the first Abu Dhabi co-produced feature film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a milestone for Emirati-led production on one of the world's most prominent cinema stages.
Alongside production, the partnership supported professional development for Emirati filmmakers and executives, including Alia Alqemzi, a development executive at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, who has contributed across several Spooky Pictures projects, including the forthcoming release "Menace."
The studio is also supporting the upcoming production "Hokum", starring Adam Scott and directed by Damian McCarthy, which is set for release later this year and includes scenes filmed in Abu Dhabi's Liwa desert.
Community Screenings
Image Nation Abu Dhabi also maintained a strong focus on community engagement, working with strategic partners to extend storytelling into public and cultural venues across the UAE. Through a series of curated community screenings and educational activations at locations including Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi, Masafi Cultural Centre in Fujairah and "Funoon Bil Arabi" in partnership with Miral on Yas Island, Image Nation Abu Dhabi created opportunities for wider audiences to connect with film, creative talent and the storytelling process in accessible settings.
Ben Ross, CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said: "2025 marks a defining moment for Image Nation Abu Dhabi as we continue to support the UAE's creative soft power on the global stage. By scaling the ambition, reach and cultural impact of our projects and international partnerships, we are enabling stories and talent developed in the UAE to travel globally and shape perception through culture, values, and ideas. This reflects our long-term commitment to building a sustainable creative ecosystem and delivering excellence across film, television and emerging formats."
Looking ahead, Image Nation Abu Dhabi invites Emirati writers, filmmakers, producers and creatives to engage with its upcoming development programmes, productions and initiatives. With a growing slate and an expanding range of formats, the studio remains focused on enabling Emirati talent to tell their stories, build sustainable careers and shape the future of the UAE's film and television industry.