Image Nation Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Hollywood filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov and his production company Bazelevs, has unveiled the winners of the UAE’s inaugural Screenlife Accelerator Programme. Launched in June 2024, this initiative aimed to equip local and resident filmmakers with the skills to master the screenlife storytelling format, where entire narratives unfold through digital platforms such as smartphones and computer screens.

Over an intensive 12-week period, participants received mentorship in the art of screenlife filmmaking, leading to the selection of 13 finalists tasked with developing pilot projects based on their concepts. From this talented pool, eight projects were granted additional support to refine their scripts and gear up for the next stage of production.

Among the notable winners is Disappearance, a supernatural thriller by Emirati director Abdulbaset Qayed, which follows two vloggers as they delve into a mysterious disappearance in the Omani mountains. Turkish filmmakers Gorkem Sifael and Ozgur Akyuz were recognized for Stalker, a psychological drama revolving around a woman whose AI search tool, designed to find her missing mother, is taken over by a menacing stalker.

Other remarkable projects include Hidden Melody by Emirati filmmaker Afra Al Marar, a suspenseful narrative about a composer haunted by a song and a singer’s tragic demise; and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by French expat Julie Sanchez, which explores the psychological intricacies of an online therapist and her clients.

Dana Ittani, an American-Lebanese filmmaker, presented Just My Type, a gripping cybercrime drama inspired by real-life romance scams. Dubai-based Ekta Saran and British writer Danielle Arden’s Mother Scammer offers a darkly satirical perspective on high society and digital deception. Emirati Aisha Al Aqel was honored for Closure, a sci-fi horror that delves into themes of grief and AI resurrection, while Yemeni director Tammam Assi’s The Link tackles the perils of online manipulation and viral identity fraud.

Ben Ross, CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, remarked: “As Abu Dhabi and the UAE continue to solidify their status as leaders in the creative industries, our collaboration on screenlife underscores our dedication to innovation in filmmaking. We empower emerging storytellers with cutting-edge tools while showcasing the UAE’s unique identity through universally resonant narratives. The talent we witnessed during the programme was truly inspiring, and we eagerly anticipate bringing these projects to fruition.”

Timur Bekmambetov, the pioneer of the screenlife format, added: “Screenlife is not merely a new storytelling language; it serves as a powerful tool for social impact. It democratizes access to cinema through technology, challenging the notion that filmmaking is reserved for those with extensive connections and substantial budgets. Instead, screenlife provides a platform for new voices and untold stories from emerging regions and underserved communities. Many of our best screenlife films were created by first-time filmmakers, and we hope that the finalists from this accelerator will soon join their ranks.”

Bekmambetov is renowned for his screenlife films, which present narratives from the perspective of smartphones and computer screens, as characters engage with their devices to propel the story forward. His debut screenlife production, the teen horror film Unfriended (2015), was acquired by Universal and grossed over $65 million against a budget of just $1 million. His subsequent screenlife project, Searching (2018), featuring John Cho, became a sensation at the Sundance Film Festival, earning over $7 million.