Imagenation Abu Dhabi has signed an exclusive international sales agreement with Fortissimo Films, which will handle worldwide distribution of the company’s debut slate of local and Arabic-language features.

The agreement follows a recent deal with Beirut-based Empire International to distribute the locally-produced slate throughout the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

The multi-year, multi-picture agreement with Fortissimo kicks off with international distribution of Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s first two Emirati productions – coming-of-age story Sea Shadow [pictured] and supernatural thriller Djinn.

Sea Shadow is directed by Emirati filmmaker Nawaf Al-Janahi (The Circle), while Djinn is directed by horror veteran Tobe Hooper. Both films shot in the United Arab Emirates and are currently in post-production.

Commenting on the deal, Michael Garin, CEO of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, said: “With their extensive industry knowledge, Fortissimo will not only be an important partner in the distribution of our films internationally, but also in the development of our future film projects. They will provide us with real time data on our existing projects while also helping us to determine the type of films we will develop going forward, all with increased market awareness.”

Michael J. Werner, Chairman of Fortissimo, added: “We are witnessing the creation of a new, unique and talented source for international cinema and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Imagenation Abu Dhabi and the amazing slate of projects that the company is putting together.

“The diversity of the slate and the care and strategizing that is going into the development of each project means that these films have real potential to resonate with international festivals, journalists, distributors and audiences the world over.”

Imagenation Abu Dhabi is also financing and producing features with partners including Participant Media, National Geographic Films, Hyde Park Entertainment, Parkes/Macdonald Productions, Warner Bros, and Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA).

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