Four Emiratis make the cut for Arab Film Studio competition

Four Emiratis are among 12 chosen to compete in Image Nation's third annual film challenge. Of them, two are from Abu Dhabi, one is from Sharjah and the fourth is from Fujairah.

The winner of Best Film at last year’s Arab Film Studio Awards, the second of its kind, was the Dubai-based Sara Saber, from Egypt. Lee Hoagland / The National

A 23-year-old Emirati graduate from Sharjah is among 12 people who have been chosen to participate in the 2014 Arab Film Studio competition.

“It means everything to me to be a part of this competition and it’s a great privilege,” says Aisha Mohamed Al Hammadi. “I think it is like being a diamond that needs polishing – I know I have the potential, I just need the chance to prove myself. I’m hoping Arab Film Studio will give me the opportunity to do this.”

This year’s Emirati competitors also include two from Abu Dhabi, Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi, 37, and Shahad Al Shehhi, 24; and Fakhrah Abdullah, a 34-year-old Emirati mother of seven from Fujairah.

Image Nation revealed the competitors yesterday. Arab Film Studio is run in conjunction with twofour54 and gives aspiring filmmakers, who must be residents of a GCC country, the opportunity to learn the tools of the trade. The training programme starts this week with a three-month multi-disciplinary instruction, giving contestants exclusive access to film professionals.

After a three-month “boot camp”, the contestants and their mentors will produce a short film. The winner gets a Dh50,000 development deal from Image Nation.

* Chris Newbould