EXCLUSIVE: Image Nation Abu Dhabi and director Timur Bekmambetov have introduced the winners of the primary version of the UAE Screenlife Accelerator Program.
The eight initiatives vary from a supernatural thriller a few vlogger investigating a disappearance within the mountains of Oman; a sci-fi horror a few lady who resurrects a lifeless twin by means 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 progressive digital filmmaking format the place tales unfold totally on laptop 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 continue to establish its position as a leader in the creative industries, our partnership on Screenlife reflects our commitment to innovation in filmmaking, empowering emerging storytellers with the latest tools, and showcasing the UAE’s unique identity through globally resonant stories,” stated Image Nation Abu Dhabi CEO Ben Ross.
“We were overwhelmed with the level of talent we saw in the during the program – and look forward to bringing these projects to life.”
Bekmambetov pioneered the Screenlife filmmaking method to supply hits corresponding to Unfriended (2015), Searching (2018), Missing (2023) and most lately the positively-reviewed Lifehack (2025).
“Screenlife isn’t just a new storytelling language, it’s a real tool for social impact. It democratizes access to cinema through technology and changes the idea that cinema belongs only to those with big connections and big budgets,” he stated.
“Instead, screenlife makes cinema a platform for new voices and untold stories coming from emerging regions and underserved communities. All our best screenlife films were made by first-time filmmakers. And we hope this accelerator’s finalist will soon be next.”
The chosen initiatives:
Disappearance
Dir. Abdulbaset Qayed (UAE)
A supernatural thriller that follows common vlogger Omar and his associate Nixon as they examine the vanishing of a younger man within the mountains of Oman solely to uncover the presence of a darkish, otherworldly pressure.
Stalker
Dirs. Gorkem Sifael & Ozgur Akyuz (Turkey)
A gripping psychological drama a few tech-savvy younger lady who creates a strong search software program to seek 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 business.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
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.
Just My Type
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 techniques that in the end carry justice to the victims.
Mother 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 fastidiously 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 dying on a religious journey, solely to seek out that religion, grief and synthetic intelligence create a harmful and unstable combine. Finally, Yemeni Tammam Assi’s
The Link
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.