Latest news with #SpookyPictures
Broadcast Pro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Emirati thriller ‘HOBA' to make global debut at Fantastic Fest 2025
Following its Fantastic Fest premiere, psychological horror-thriller 'HOBA' will hit UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025. Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures have revealed that HOBA, a gripping psychological horror-thriller from acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari, will celebrate its world premiere at this year's Fantastic Fest this September. The festival hosted in Austin, Texas is one of the world's leading showcases for bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Marking the first Arabic-language Emirati feature on the Image Nation and Spooky Pictures slate, HOBA delivers a haunting, atmospheric story steeped in tension and emotional depth. It follows Amani (Emirati actress Bdoor Mohammed), a devoted wife whose world unravels when her husband returns home with a second wife, Zahra (Sarah Taibah, Saudi filmmaker and artist). But with Zahra comes something far more sinister, an unseen darkness that begins to consume their home, testing the limits of loyalty, love and survival. The cast also features Eman Tarik as Noor, Amani's daughter, and Jasem AlKharraz as her father Khalid. Behind the camera, Majid Al Ansari is joined by powerhouse producers Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy and Rami Yasin, with Mohamed Hefzy and Yasir Al Yasiri as executive producers. Following its Fantastic Fest premiere, HOBA will hit UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025, promising audiences an unforgettable descent into psychological terror. Image Nation Abu Dhabi will also have two other projects screening at Fantastic Fest under its successful partnership with Spooky Pictures, with the North American premiere of The Plague and the world premiere of the cult-genre film franchise V/H/S Halloween.
Al Etihad
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Abu Dhabi unveil new horror film by Emirati director
22 June 2025 22:41 Abu Dhabi (ALETIHAD)Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Academy Award-winning film and entertainment studio, have announced the release their next psychological horror-thriller "HOBA", a new feature film by critically acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Majid Al the first Arabic-language Emirati film under the Spooky Pictures and Image Nation slate, HOBA marks a significant step forward for regional genre storytelling. The film is set for release in the UAE on October ("The Vile" in English) tells the story of a devoted wife and mother whose life begins to unravel when her husband returns home with a second wife and an unseen darkness infiltrates her Ross, CEO of Image Nation, said: "HOBA is a bold and compelling film that demonstrates the power of local storytelling on a global stage. We're proud to work with Majid Al Ansari once again and to bring forward a genre film that challenges, disturbs and deeply moves."Steven Schneider, co-founder of Spooky Pictures added: "HOBA is exactly the kind of film we love to champion at Spooky Pictures - intimate, unnerving and emotionally rich. Majid Al Ansari has crafted a story that's both deeply rooted in its cultural context and universally haunting. We're excited to be part of a project that pushes the boundaries of psychological horror while introducing audiences to a powerful up-and-coming voice in genre filmmaking."Starring Emirati actress Bdoor Mohammed ("Blood Wedding", "25 Fils") in the lead role as the first wife, Amani, the film also features Saudi artist and filmmaker Sarah Taibah ("Jameel Jeddan", "Night Courier") as the enigmatic second wife, talent Iman Doghoz ("Makr", "Kaboos") portrays Amani's vulnerable daughter, while Emirati actor Jassem AlKharraz (Zawaj Ella Roba'a, Ala Gad Alhal, Wadima and Halima) plays her father, the cast brings to life a deeply resonant story about family bonds, emotional conflict and the unseen forces that test by horror genre veterans Roy Lee ("Barbarian", "It"), Steven Schneider ("Insidious", "Paranormal Activity"), Derek Dauchy ("Late Night with the Devil", "The Plague") and Rami Yasin ("Hokum") the film blends supernatural tension with culturally grounded storytelling, offering a uniquely regional take on universal fears. Mohamed Hefzy ("Flight 404", "Voy! Voy! Voy!") is executive marks a return to the genre for Majid Al Ansari, whose breakout debut "Zinzana" earned international acclaim and became the first Arab language film acquired by Netflix. Known for blending bold visual style with emotionally charged storytelling, Al Ansari continues to push boundaries in Arab cinema, offering audiences globally resonant narratives grounded in regional Ansari said: "With HOBA, I wanted to tell a story that feels both intimate and unsettling; one that explores real emotional experiences through the lens of genre. It's about love, fear and resilience, and what happens when the familiar turns unfamiliar, when the people we trust most begin to feel like strangers."Hoba is part of a slate of upcoming projects from Spooky Pictures and Image Nation including Charlie Polinger's "The Plague" starring Joel Edgerton, which recently premiered in Cannes' prestigious Un Certain Regard competition, Randall Okita's "Menace" starring Isabel May, and Damian Mc Carthy's "Hokum", starring Adam Scott. Majid Al Futtaim - Vox Independent Distribution is handling the theatrical release for UAE, with Film Clinic handling the rights for post-theatrical in MENA, and AGC International handling the rights for the rest of the world.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michelle Randolph to star in horror thriller 'Malibu'; reports
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Michelle Randolph , known for her roles in the TV series '1923' and 'Landman', is in talks to star in 'Malibu', a horror thriller that Tod Williams will direct. Roy Lee and Steven Schneider are producing the low-budget thriller via their banner, Spooky Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The plot details are kept under wraps, but it is described as a "thriller skulking around in the subterranean horror subgenre". The shoot will start later this year. The project marks a reunion between Williams and Schneider. The former directed Paranormal Activity 2, part of the successful horror franchise for which Schneider served as producer and executive producer. Spooky is currently developing an adaptation of the Scott Snyder horror comic, Dungeon. Lee and Schneider are also part of the producing team for The Long Walk, Lionsgate's adaptation of the Stephen King story that will hit theatres on September 12, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Randolph played Liz Strafford in 1923, alongside Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and Brandon Sklenar, in one of Sheridan's Yellowstone TV series spin-offs. She later got a role on Landman, playing the daughter of Billy Bob Thornton's main character. In March, the Paramount+ show received a second season renewal. The rising actress also has a role in Scream 7, which will be released in February 2026, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Dastmalchian, Georgina Campbell Teaming for Horror ‘The Shepherd,' Anton Launching Sales in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)
The stars of horror hits 'Late Night With the Devil' and 'Barbarian' are uniting to take another potentially hair-raising step into the genre world. 'The Shepherd' is set to team David Dastmalchian ('Oppenheimer,' 'The Dark Knight,' 'Dune') and Georgina Campbell ('The Watchers,' 'Black Mirror'). The horror-thriller comes from Spooky Pictures — Image Nation (also behind 'Late Night With the Devil'), with Anton launching sales in Cannes. More from Variety Leslie Grace to Play Diver Swallowed by Giant Sperm Whale in Survival Thriller 'Propel,' Altitude Launching Sales in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE) Cynthia Erivo-Led 'Prima Facie' Film Adaptation Heading to Cannes Market, With Embankment Launching Sales Andrew Karpen Remembered: Bleecker Street Media Founder Was a Force in Indie Film, Beloved for Integrity and Kindness The film is being directed by John Hyams ('Sick,' 'Alone,' HBO's documentary 'The Smashing Machine') and written by Alexander Gustaveson. Anton is handling worldwide rights and co-repping North American rights with UTA Independent Film Group and Cinetic. Set in the desolate Nevada night, 'The Shepherd' follows a young woman in labor fleeing an abusive past who has her escape hijacked by a mysterious stranger hiding an ominous threat in the back of her car. Reuniting the producers behind the box-office hit 'Late Night with the Devil,' 'The Shepherd' is produced under the Spooky Pictures – Image Nation partnership with Steven Schneider ('Paranormal Activity,'' Insidious,' 'Split') and Roy Lee ('It' franchise, 'Barbarian,' 'A Minecraft Movie') for Spooky Pictures ('Strange Darling,' Chloe Okuno's 'Watcher'); Ben Cornwell, Jordan Foley and Nick Smith for Paperclip Ltd. ('Alone,' 'Snack Shack') along with Jonathan Rosenthal ('Alone,' 'The Abandon'); and Sébastien Raybaud ('Fuze,' 'Greenland: Migration,' 'Greenland,' 'The Night House') for Anton. The film is executive produced by Dastmalchian under his Good Fiend Films banner, Campbell, Ben Ross and Derek Dauchy for Image Nation, Rami Yasin for Spooky Pictures, and Yeardley Smith for Paperclip Ltd. Anton and Image Nation are financing the film, with production set to start on 'The Shepherd' in the fall, 2025. 'Once I turned the first few pages of 'The Shepherd' I was hooked,' said Dastmalchian. 'I immediately wanted to see this high-octane, horrifying world brought to life and John is the perfect person to make it happen. After collaborating with Roy and Steven on 'Late Night with the Devil,' I have been looking forward to getting back in the sandbox with them and I can't wait to bring the genre force of Good Fiend Films into the equation.' 'Following the success of 'Late Night with the Devil,' we're excited to be working with David Dastmalchian once again on 'The Shepherd,'' added Image Nation CEO Ben Ross. 'David brings a distinctive energy and depth to every project he's part of, and this film marks another strong collaboration in our ongoing partnership with Spooky Pictures.' 'The Shepherd' is part of a slate of upcoming projects from Spooky Pictures and Image Nation including Charlie Polinger's 'The Plague' starring Joel Edgerton, which will premiere in Cannes' prestigious Un Certain Regard competition, Randall Okita's 'Menace' starring Isabel May, and Damian McCarthy's 'Hokum' starring Adam Scott. Dastmalchian is repped by Atlas Artists. Campbell is repped by UTA, Entertainment 360, Independent Talent Group and Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLC. Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson's ‘Eleanor the Great' Draws Cheers, Tears at Cannes Premiere
The Oscar campaign for Eleanor the Great starts now. Raucous cheers and quite a few tears greeted the world premiere of Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut, which premiered in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section on Tuesday. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Eleanor the Great' Review: June Squibb Steadies Scarlett Johansson's Wobbly Directorial Debut John C. Reilly Is Buffalo Bill in Cannes Film 'Heads or Tails?,' a Deconstruction of Cowboys and Legends The Horror Buffs at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Spooky Pictures Love "Cool Shit" and Have Unleashed 'The Plague' at Cannes The Cannes crowd warmly embraced the dramedy, which stars June Squibb at the titular Eleanor Morgenstern (Squibb), a fiercely independent Florida retiree who, after the sudden death of her lifelong best friend, relocates to New York to live with her daughter. A series of events leads her to a young woman, played by Erin Kellyman, suffering from the loss of her mother. The two bond over their shared grief and a desire to reconnect with their Jewish identity. But Eleanor has a secret that threatens to destroy the friendship they have built. The Hollywood Reporter's Cannes review of the film was mixed, with critic Lovia Gyarkye saying the film had a 'bold premise that could have worked better.' Kellyman and Squibb joined Johansson at Cannes' Debussy Theatre on Tuesday for the world premiere. Calling it 'a dream come true' if a bit 'surreal' to premiere her directorial debut in Cannes, Johansson praised Squibb for her 'courage' in portraying the fiesty, charming and complicated Eleanor, and called Kellyman's performance 'a revelation. I'm so happy for the world to meet you,' she said to the up-and-coming British talent. It's been 10 years since Squibb has been to Cannes. She was last here with Alexander Payne's Nebraska, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. If the reception for Eleanor the Great is any indication, that second nom could be in the mail. The 95-year-old, already enjoying a remarkable late-career renaissance following her breakout turn in Thelma, was greeted with whoops and cheers as the credits rolled. Speaking to the crowd after the premiere, Johansson said she felt 'naked' but hoped the audience would embrace the film's hopeful message. 'This is [a movie] about Jewish identity, about friendship, but really about forgiveness. Something I think we all need a lot more of nowadays,' she said. 'I hope you carry [Eleanor's] story with you now as I carry it with me.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
