Image Nation Abu Dhabi helps connect creatives at home
Image Nation’s flagship training platform Arab Film Studio will offer its Scriptwriting and Young Filmmakers courses online. Some previous participants will offer filmmaking tutorials
Image Nation Abu Dhabi, an award-winning Abu Dhabi-based film and media production company, is launching a series of digital and broadcast initiatives for creatives and filmmakers to connect and inspire its community online.
For the first time, Image Nation’s flagship training platform Arab Film Studio will offer its Scriptwriting and Young Filmmakers courses online. Some of Arab Film Studio’s previous participants will offer filmmaking tutorials through the Filmmakers at Home video series, available on Image Nation’s website, while an interactive Film Tips Challenge inspires filmmakers to share how they are staying creative at home.
Alongside the digital initiatives, 16 diverse Arab Film Studio films will be broadcast for the duration of Ramadan on Etisalat’s E-life platform via The Ramadan Shop channel. The original productions, which have been featured in film festivals all around the world, include “Made of Clay”, “Sheikh Mussafak”, “Absentees”, “Astray”, “Rattles”, “Hartoom”, and the award-winning “Omnia”.
Khalid Khouri, Chief of Operations of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said, “Image Nation maintains its commitment to nurturing the Arab filmmaking landscape, despite the slowdown in production. In a time of isolation, our community is bringing its creativity to bear with brilliant ideas to stay connected and inspire others using the technology and resources we have in our homes. By bringing these initiatives online, we will be able to reach a broader audience and share our innovative resources with aspiring and established filmmakers who are striving to pursue their passions despite current conditions.”
The digital initiatives created by Image Nation will utilise digital platforms to educate, train and develop the potential of the region’s filmmakers, focusing on different aspects of the filmmaking industry.
Arab Film Studio, AFS, was created to deepen the pool of homegrown talent in response to the increasing demand for locally produced and diverse content. As it always has, AFS will continue to provide practical training and knowledge to emerging talents and provide a platform for original and promising ideas to come to life.
For the born storytellers and budding scriptwriters, applications for the AFS Scriptwriting are open until 15th May. The five-month course, commencing on 5th July, is led by renowned industry figures who will demonstrate the fundamentals of writing for the big screen. The winner of the programme will receive an AED100,000 grant to transform their script into a short film.
In partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, the three-week interactive online course Arab Film Studio Young Filmmakers will provide the skills for Emirati high school students aged 16 to 18 to create a one-minute stop motion film to showcase to their peers and university faculty.
The Filmmakers at Home video series consists of tutorials filmed by previous AFS participants on various filmmaking techniques and is accessible on Image Nation’s website, offering a source of knowledge and inspiration to anyone looking to develop their skills.
Last month, Image Nation Abu Dhabi launched an inspirational video created to pay tribute to the UAE’S leadership, dedicated workers and everyday heroes for their contributions to the community.
The short film titled, ‘Tribute to Everyday Heroes’, celebrates the resilience and unity that the nation is demonstrating through these challenging times, from heroic front-line workers providing healthcare and essential services to families following physical distancing guidelines and staying at home.
It features words from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, emphasising the importance of community and shared purpose, alongside footage that reminds viewers of the UAE’S historical milestones and inspire the nation on what the country can still achieve.
The video tribute has already been viewed more than 100,000 times in the first 24 hours since its release across social media channels in the UAE.
Image Nation has also released the international edition of its acclaimed documentary TV series History of the Emirates to stream free of charge on a dedicated website, alongside a virtual reality educational app.