Arab Film Studio Competition Returns for 2014

A range of nationalities will compete for 50,000 AED

Abu Dhabi, January 20, 2013: Image Nation has announced the 12 participants who will compete in the third annual competition Arab Film Studio (AFS) today. 

Amongst this year's 12 competitors are an interior designer from Egypt, a freelance journalist from Haiti and an Emirati mother with seven children.

Aisha Mohamed Al Hammadi, a 23-year-old graduate from Sharjah who is competing in AFS, said: “It means everything to me to be a part of this competition and it's a great privilege.

“I think it is like being a diamond that needs polishing - I know I have the potential, I just need the chance to prove myself. I'm hoping Arab Film Studio will give me the opportunity to do this.”

AFS, which is run in conjunction with twofour54, provides a unique opportunity for aspiring film makers to learn the tools of the trade and get a break into the industry.

Image Nation CEO, Michael Garin, said: “The submissions this year were all superb which made the decision to cut them down to just 12 extremely difficult. The standard of our candidates this year are particularly strong and we look forward to seeing their final films.

“It shows that there is still so much untapped talent in the UAE film industry. And it is programs like AFS, with the help of Image Nation and twofour54 that allow us to uncover and grow these talents.”

This year's contestants include Ahmed Khattri, 30, from Egypt; Aisha Mohamed Al Hammadi, 23 from Sharjah; Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi, 37, from Abu Dhabi; Amal KhairAllah, 23 from Kuwait; Carlo Cadet, 27 from Haiti; Fakhrah Abdullah, 34 from Fujairah; Israa Ibrahim, 20 from Sudan; Maryam Abdullah Alabbad, 22 from Kuwait; Mohammed Magdy, 29 from Egypt; Philip Jamal Rachid, 36 from the Netherlands, Shahad Al Shehhi, 24 from Abu Dhabi and Salman Ahmed, 40 from the U.K.

In compliance with AFS rules, all are residents of the UAE or a GCC country.

The program, which begins this week, starts with a three-month multi-disciplinary training program held in partnership with twofour54. During this time they will be given access to leading film professionals who will provide them with insider knowledge of the film industry.

Following the bootcamp stage, contestants will be asked to develop and produce their own short film with the help of mentors.

The films will be judged by a panel of industry experts from around the world with the winner receiving a 50,000 AED development deal with Image Nation.