Imagenation Abu Dhabi unveils five more Emirati films

Imagenation Abu Dhabi has unveiled its slate of Emirati film projects that will be developed, financed and produced by the company.

The diverse crop of six films includes drama Million’s Poet, horror thriller Djinn, adventure comedy Alaska, romantic comedy Monsoon and the romance Alis and Aishas, as well as the previously announced coming of age story Sea Shadow.

Sea Shadow will start shooting this winter; the other five will be developed over two years.

Million’s Poet is inspired by the TV show, about a young Bedouin girl who loves poetry but has to recruit her brother to compete in a poetry contest for her.

Djinn is written by US writer David Tully and is about tenants in a luxury high rise near an abandoned fishing village; demons are unleashed.

Alaska is an adventure comedy written by Ahmed El Arshi, following two study abroad students from Abu Dhabi who try to join a US fraternity and have to take a road trip to pledge.

Monsoon is a romantic comedy written by Yussef Ibrahim. The film is set in modern-day Abu Dhabi, about a talk show host who tries to woo an Indian woman despite opposition from her mother.

Alis and Aishas is a 1980s-set romantic comedy about three Emirati men who go to Egypt to find true love.

Sea Shadow is about two 16-year-olds coming of age in a traditional Emirati neighborhood. The film will be directed by acclaimed Emirati director Nawaf Al-Janahi and written by Mohamed Hassan Ahmad.

“We are particularly proud to announce our slate of Emirati films as it solidly demonstrates our commitment to the film industry in the UAE,” said H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Imagenation Abu Dhabi. “With each of these films we will be working together with some of the most gifted talent in the UAE to produce high-quality films based on local content.”

Imagenation Abu Dhabi CEO, Edward Borgerding, added: “We believe that each of the films on this slate has the potential to resonate with international movie audiences. Not only are we aiming to make commercially-viable films, but we are also hoping to share the local Emirati culture with movie-goers around the world.”

Stefan Brunner, COO of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, commented: “This initial line up showcases the close relationships we have developed with some of the most talented filmmakers here in Abu Dhabi and throughout the UAE. We are thrilled that they have chosen to collaborate with us on these universal stories; projects we believe will advance Emirati cinema and widen the scope of its appeal both regionally and internationally.”

Million’s Poet is inspired by the TV show, about a young Bedouin girl who loves poetry but has to recruit her brother to compete in a poetry contest for her.

Djinn is written by US writer David Tully and is about tenants in a luxury high rise near an abandoned fishing village; demons are unleashed.

Alaska is an adventure comedy written by Ahmed El Arshi, following two study abroad students from Abu Dhabi who try to join a US fraternity and have to take a road trip to pledge.

Monsoon is a romantic comedy written by Yussef Ibrahim. The film is set in modern-day Abu Dhabi, about a talk show host who tries to woo an Indian woman despite opposition from her mother.

Alis and Aishas is a 1980s-set romantic comedy about three Emirati men who go to Egypt to find true love.

Sea Shadow is about two 16-year-olds coming of age in an Emirati neighborhood. The film will be directed by acclaimed Emirati director Nawaf Al-Janahi and written by Mohamed Hassan Ahmad.