Image Nation Abu Dhabi & Timur Bekmambetov Unveil Winners Of First UAE-Based 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)
More from Deadline
'LifeHack' Review: Latest Movie In Computer Screenlife Genre Is Best Yet, A Rocking And Riveting Cryptocurrency Heist Film - SXSW
Timur Bekmambetov Launches The Black List-Style Platform Screenlifer With 'Howdy, Neighbor!' & 'CRTL'
Timur Bekmambetov Signs With Artist International Group
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.
'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:
Dir. 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.
Dirs. 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.
Dir. 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.
Dir. Julie Sanchez (France)A psychological thriller set in unsettling digital world of an online psychologist, blurring the line between helper and the helped.
Dir. 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.
Dirs. 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.
Dir. 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
Dir. 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.
Best of Deadline
Everything We Know About 'The Phoenician Scheme' So Far
Everything We Know About 'Another Simple Favor' So Far
'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Reacher' Season 4's Streaming Status is Safe. For Now
While there's not yet a release for Reacher Season 4, one of the major corporations behind the show, Paramount, has undergone a major shakeup. Following a merger between Skydance Media and Paramount, certain aspects of how shows produced by Paramount will be streamed might change. But it seems Reacher will stay the same, at least for now. Although Reacher is distributed by and co-produced on Amazon Prime Video, the show is also produced by Paramount Television Studios. And now that Paramount has merged with Skydance, some behind-the-scenes stuff will change. But, according to Deadline, that shouldn't impact the viewer experience in the short Reacher still stream on Amazon Prime Video? As of this writing, the Paramount and Skydance merger will not impact the streaming distribution of Reacher Season 4. As pointed out by Screenrant: "It seemed apparent that, given its success, the merger wouldn't negatively impact the series' fate. However, it does mean CBS Studios will no longer be in charge, the baton passing to PTVS as the franchise continues. But this doesn't negatively impact the show." In the first half of 2025, Reacher easily made it into the top 10 most-streamed shows, according to several metrics, including the Nielsen ratings. Overall, Reacher is one of the biggest hits for Prime Video, meaning a switch to another streamer, like Paramount+, seems Season 4 and Neagley release dates Reacher Season 4 began production in June 2025. Meanwhile, the Reacher spinoff show, Neagley, finished filming on June 7, 2025. Both Reacher Season 4 and Neagley Season 1 will likely be released in 2026, though it's possible Neagley could debut later this year. 'Reacher' Season 4's Streaming Status is Safe. For Now first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 14, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ryan Paevey is returning to 'General Hospital 'after 7 years
The actor explained that the idea of returning to the series was kickstarted by receiving a text from "General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini. More than seven years after his departure, Ryan Paevey is returning to General Hospital. The actor, who starred as Detective Nathan West from 2013 until 2018, is set to appear in new episodes of the hit ABC sudser starting this September, Entertainment Weekly has learned. Deadline was the first to report the news. EW has reached out to representatives for General Hospital and Paevey for comment. It is currently unclear what role Paevey will play in his grand return to the series, given that Nathan was killed at the end of his five-year run. (Not that death has ever stopped anyone from returning to General Hospital before.) Speaking to Deadline, Paevey explained that he began to explore the idea of potentially returning to the series after receiving an unexpected text from executive producer Frank Valentini. 'We talked a bit and he asked would I consider returning for awhile, talking story, floated different story ideas involving different time commitments of me, and I thought, 'if we're going to do this we should really do it and surprise the fans with a meaty storyline,'' Paevey told the outlet. 'I was surprised by my excitement for a homecoming and reuniting with familiar faces after seven years. I still have my last call sheet from my final taping day on January 18, 2018, tacked up in my home office.' The announcement comes just four days after Paevey teased on Instagram that he had 'some news to share' with fans after attending a fan event in Georgia. 'I've got some irons in the fire,' he said at the time. 'I've got all kinds of fun stuff coming up. So stick around and, yeah, I hope to see you guys at another. And I'll share some news with you as soon as I can.' Paevey previously announced that he would be taking a step back from acting in 2024 in order to protect his mental health and to be closer to his mother after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. 'The industry hasn't felt like the place for me in quite some time now, and my mental health has suffered from it,' he said in a statement to Heavy. 'It's taken me to a bit of a dark place, made me into a version of myself I don't like very much.' He added, 'I've had bank accounts hacked, money embezzled, investments stolen….things that, while difficult, can be recovered from. But after all that, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. I left Los Angeles to be closer to her, and feel the need to devote more of my time, energy, and resources closer to home.' Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Geek Tyrant
14 hours ago
- Geek Tyrant
Trailer For The Horror Film GOOD BOY a Haunted House Story Told From the Perspective of a Dog — GeekTyrant
IFC Films just dropped the trailer for Good Boy , and it's one of the most unique horror films hitting theaters this year. This spooky tale flips the haunted house genre on its head by telling the story entirely through the eyes of a loyal pup named Indy. Directed by Ben Leonberg in his feature debut, Good Boy made waves during its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival and is now set to hit theaters this October. In the film, 'Our canine hero, Indy, finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner—and best friend—Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. From the start, two things are abundantly clear: Indy is wary of the creepy old house, and his affection for Todd is unwavering. 'After moving in, Indy is immediately vexed by the empty corners, tracks an invisible presence only he can see, perceives phantasmagoric warnings from a long-dead dog, and is haunted by visions of the previous occupant's grim death. 'When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife...' The trailer teases a chilling and emotional ride, with unsettling visuals, eerie sounds, and the kind of heart you don't typically find in your standard horror flick. And yes, the dog is the lead. According to early reactions, the film is being hailed as a breakout indie hit. It's said to be 'a charming twist on the haunted house movie with a soulful performance from the pup at its center.' Another called it 'A terrifying yet adorable look at dogs' unconditional love. Exciting classic haunted house energy. Indy is a bonafide star & deserves all the pets! Creative sound design & stunts.' Good Boy stars Indy the Dog as Indy the Dog, alongside Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Shane Jensen, Anya Krawcheck, and Stuart Rudin. Written by Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg, and produced by Leonberg and Kari Fischer, this film sounds like a heartfelt, eerie, and completely original horror story. Mark your calendars for October 3, 2025, this movie looks great!
