EXCLUSIVE: Image Nation Abu Dhabi and director Timur Bekmambetov have announced the winners of the first edition of the UAE Screenlife Accelerator Program.
The eight projects range from a supernatural thriller about a vlogger investigating a disappearance in the mountains of Oman; a sci-fi horror about a woman who resurrects a dead twin through an AI self-care App, and a digital scam caper set against the world of Dubai’s high society. (scroll down for full list)
The joint initiative between the Emirati studio and L.A.-based Russian-Kazakh director and producer Bekmambetov, and his production company Bazelevs, introduced UAE nationals and residents to his innovative digital filmmaking format where stories unfold entirely on computer or smartphone screens.
Following an intensive 12-week course, 13 filmmakers have been selected to produce a pilot of their concept.
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“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,” said 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 technique to produce hits such as Unfriended (2015), Searching (2018), Missing (2023) and most recently 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 said.
“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 selected projects:
DisappearanceDir. Abdulbaset Qayed (UAE)A supernatural thriller that follows popular vlogger Omar and his partner Nixon as they investigate the vanishing of a young man in the mountains of Oman only to uncover the presence of a dark, otherworldly force.
StalkerDirs. Gorkem Sifael & Ozgur Akyuz (Turkey)A gripping psychological drama about a tech-savvy young woman who creates a powerful search software to find her missing mother only to have it turned against her by a manipulative stalker.
Hidden MelodyDir. Afra Al Marar (UAE)A junior music composer receives a mysterious unfinished song from a singer who dies just ten minutes later unraveling a trail of clues that lead to a shocking secret hidden within the music industry.
Maybe You Should Talk to SomeoneDir. Julie Sanchez (France)A psychological thriller set in unsettling digital world of an online psychologist, blurring the line between helper and the helped.
Just My TypeDir. Dana Ittani (U.S.-Lebanese)A sharp and timely take on cybercrime, inspired by real cases following the story of online romance scams and the digital systems that ultimately bring justice to the victims.
Mother ScammerDirs. Ekta Saran (India), Danielle Arden (UK)A satirical psychological thriller set against the polished backdrop of Dubai’s high society, where a struggling single mother and designer falls prey to a digital scam that upends her carefully curated life.
ClosureDir. Aisha Al Aqel (UAE)A blend of science fiction and horror following Josephine as she resurrects her twin brother via an AI self-care app after his death on a spiritual trip, only to find that faith, grief and artificial intelligence create a dangerous and unstable mix. Finally, Yemeni Tammam Assi’s
The LinkDir. Tammam Assi (Yemen)A digital thriller slate, where in the era of viral fame and digital deception, a woman’s online entanglement with a dangerous imposter forces her to confront her deepest fears and fight for her family.
The post Image Nation Abu Dhabi & Timur Bekmambetov Unveil Winners Of First UAE-Based Screenlife Accelerator Program appeared first on Deadline.
