EXCLUSIVE: Picture Nation Abu Dhabi and director Timur Bekmambetov have introduced the winners of the primary version of the UAE Screenlife Accelerator Program.
The eight tasks vary from a supernatural thriller a couple of vlogger investigating a disappearance within the mountains of Oman; a sci-fi horror a couple of lady who resurrects a lifeless twin by way of an AI self-care App, and a digital rip-off caper set towards the world of Dubai’s excessive society. (scroll down for full checklist)
The joint initiative between the Emirati studio and L.A.-based Russian-Kazakh director and producer Bekmambetov, and his manufacturing firm Bazelevs, launched UAE nationals and residents to his modern digital filmmaking format the place tales unfold totally on pc or smartphone screens.
Following an intensive 12-week course, 13 filmmakers have been chosen to supply a pilot of their idea.
“As Abu Dhabi and the UAE proceed to determine its place as a pacesetter within the inventive industries, our partnership on Screenlife displays our dedication to innovation in filmmaking, empowering rising storytellers with the newest instruments, and showcasing the UAE’s distinctive id by way of globally resonant tales,” mentioned Picture Nation Abu Dhabi CEO Ben Ross.
“We had been overwhelmed with the extent of expertise we noticed within the throughout this system – and stay up for bringing these tasks to life.”
Bekmambetov pioneered the Screenlife filmmaking approach to supply hits equivalent to Unfriended (2015), Looking out (2018), Lacking (2023) and most not too long ago the positively-reviewed Lifehack (2025).
“Screenlife isn’t only a new storytelling language, it’s an actual instrument for social influence. It democratizes entry to cinema by way of expertise and adjustments the concept cinema belongs solely to these with massive connections and large budgets,” he mentioned.
“As an alternative, screenlife makes cinema a platform for brand new voices and untold tales coming from rising areas and underserved communities. All our greatest screenlife movies had been made by first-time filmmakers. And we hope this accelerator’s finalist will quickly be subsequent.”
The chosen tasks:
Disappearance
Dir. Abdulbaset Qayed (UAE)
A supernatural thriller that follows widespread vlogger Omar and his accomplice Nixon as they examine the vanishing of a younger man within the mountains of Oman solely to uncover the presence of a darkish, otherworldly power.
Stalker
Dirs. Gorkem Sifael & Ozgur Akyuz (Turkey)
A gripping psychological drama a couple of tech-savvy younger lady who creates a strong search software program to search out her lacking mom solely to have it turned towards her by a manipulative stalker.
Hidden Melody
Dir. Afra Al Marar (UAE)
A junior music composer receives a mysterious unfinished tune from a singer who dies simply ten minutes later unraveling a path of clues that result in a surprising secret hidden throughout the music trade.
Perhaps You Ought to Discuss to Somebody
Dir. Julie Sanchez (France)
A psychological thriller set in unsettling digital world of a web-based psychologist, blurring the road between helper and the helped.
Simply My Sort
Dir. Dana Ittani (U.S.-Lebanese)
A pointy and well timed tackle cybercrime, impressed by actual instances following the story of on-line romance scams and the digital methods that in the end deliver justice to the victims.
Mom Scammer
Dirs. Ekta Saran (India), Danielle Arden (UK)
A satirical psychological thriller set towards the polished backdrop of Dubai’s excessive society, the place a struggling single mom and designer falls prey to a digital rip-off that upends her rigorously curated life.
Closure
Dir. Aisha Al Aqel (UAE)
A mix of science fiction and horror following Josephine as she resurrects her twin brother by way of an AI self-care app after his demise on a religious journey, solely to search out that religion, grief and synthetic intelligence create a harmful and unstable combine. Lastly, Yemeni Tammam Assi’s
The Hyperlink
Dir. Tammam Assi (Yemen)
A digital thriller slate, the place within the period of viral fame and digital deception, a girl’s on-line entanglement with a harmful imposter forces her to confront her deepest fears and battle for her household.
