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Image Nation partners with Discovery

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UAE-based content creators Image Nation has partnered with Discovery Communications to launch a new Arabic channel, Quest Arabiya, for the Middle East and North Africa.

Quest Arabiya will broadcast 24 hours a day, target Arab men aged between 16-44 years of age and will focus on male-oriented factual and reality programmes that are a combination of regionally-produced original material and Arabised content from Discovery’s library of non-fiction shows.

“In partnering with Discovery to launch a new TV channel in the Middle East and North Africa, we are doing what Abu Dhabi does best – marrying world-class expertise with regional knowledge,” says Mohammed Al Mubarak, Chairman, Image Nation Abu Dhabi. “Quest Arabiya will provide a needed boost to the private media sector in the UAE as we will be commissioning more content than ever before and producing at the highest international standards.”

twofour54 welcomes ET Bil Arabi to its studios

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twofour54’s studios in Abu Dhabi are now the home of entertainment show ET Bil Arabi. The show comprises breaking news stories, exclusive set visits, first looks at upcoming film and television projects, as well as candid one-on-one interviews with some of the Arab World’s most famous talents and celebrities.

Brought to the Middle East by pan-Arab broadcaster, MBC Group, the show is the region’s version of Entertainment Tonight (ET) and will be produced in Arabic by twofour54’s campus partner Charisma Group. This is the group’s second locally-produced format, joining ET Canada, which has just launched its 10th season. ET Bil Arabi is shown on MBC4, from Sunday to Thursday, with a 90-minute compile on Saturdays and it reaches nearly 300 million viewers across 21 countries in the region.

“We have attracted several major international and regional productions to shoot in the Emirate over the last few years,” says Jamal Al Awadhi, Head of Commercial, twofour54 Film and TV Services. “The production of this popular entertainment show at our studios reinforces Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class production hub and a centre for Arabic broadcast content.”

Image Nation partners with Ali Mostafa

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Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa is re-partnering with Image Nation Abu Dhabi on his next feature, The Worthy, which will go into production later this year. The director will be joined by Hollywood veterans Peter Safran (Producer, known for his work on The Conjuring) and Steven Schneider (Producer, known for his work on Paranormal Activity and Insidious) who have come onboard to produce the project with Ali’s Regional Producer Rami Yasin, who also worked on his 2014 film, From A to B.

“As the first action/thriller I’m directing, The Worthy is a new adventure for me,” says Ali. “My producers are really at the top of their game right now and their expertise will be invaluable on The Worthy, so I’m excited to be working with them and Image Nation again.”

Peter Safan adds “The film industry in Abu Dhabi is at an extremely exciting time in its development, I am looking forward to playing a small part in its growth by working on this fantastic film.”

Abu Dhabi to refocus film activities

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The Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, has announced that the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) is being brought to a close, in order to focus on future targeted initiatives to further support local and Arabic filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi, marking the next phase in the city’s maturing film industry.

The Media Zone Authority will continue its efforts in supporting Emirati and Arab filmmakers through the ‘SANAD’ Fund, which provides financial support for film projects during their development and post-production stages. Twofour54’s creative lab will also continue its role in supporting local talent. Going forward, the Media Zone Authority will focus on promoting Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a regional hub for film and TV productions through Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 percent cash-back rebate on all qualifying spend of films and projects shot in Abu Dhabi.

“Over the last few years we have built a strong foundation for a self-sustaining film and television industry,” says Noura Al Kaabi, CEO, Media Zone Authority. “It is now the right time to deepen our commitment and further develop programmes to take the local industry to the next level. We attracted several major international and regional productions to shoot in the Emirate over the past two years alone, which brought large-scale investment, further built the film industry infrastructure in the region, and created significant opportunities for local talent.”

ShortList UAE now live

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ShortList UAE officially launched its online platforms today, shortlistdubai.com and shortlistabudhabi.com, with its print publication to follow in September. Falling under the umbrella of Arab Publishing Partners (APP), part of ITP Publishing Group, the websites are headed up by Shortlist UAE Editor-in-Chief Eddie Taylor and Digital Editor Sarah Garden.

The websites include features on restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs, film and TV, events and attractions, as well as shopping and style – all relevant to their respective cities. Differing from Shortlist’s UK website, the UAE counterparts will be aimed at both women and men. Both websites will be updated regularly and will include searchable entertainment listings for each city.

 

Noura Al Kaabi named fifth most influential Arab

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Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of Media Zone Authority and twofour54, Abu Dhabi, has been named the fifth most influential Arab under the age of 40 by Arabian Business Magazine. Noura is the most influential Arab in Media according to the list, which is the magazine’s guide to young Arabs with global influence.

Through her work with the Media Zone Authority, Noura oversees its industry-building initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and the Abu Dhabi Media Summit. Noura also heads up twofour54, a free zone that provides production facilities, training and business support services to Abu Dhabi’s growing media industry. She is also a member of the UAE’s Federal National Council and the Economic Development Committee.

“I am truly honored to have been selected as one of this year’s 100 most powerful Arabs under 40 by Arabian Business Magazine,” says Noura. “It gives me great pride to be in the company of other Arabs who play a vital role in shaping our culture and our successes in the Middle East. The list is a collective achievement because it reflects an image of excellence and showcases the capabilities of Arabs across the region.”

Gehan Sidky joins Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi

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Gehan Sidky has joined Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi as Director of Communications. Most recently with Fairmont UAE, Gehan oversaw all PR activity for the Fairmont properties in the UAE including Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont The Palm and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. As Director of Communications for Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Gehan will be responsible for the marketing and public relations department, driving strategic initiatives to promote the property through all forms of media and communications.

“I’m thrilled to discover the capital of the UAE and work with a high end Thai hospitality culture which is all new to me,” says Gehan. “I look forward to working on Dusit’s exciting projects and future developments from a communications standpoint.”

Hadeel Al Sayegh to step down at The National

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Hadeel Al Sayegh is to step down from her role as Senior Correspondent, Political Economy at The National. Having been with the Abu Dhabi-based daily since 2010, Hadeel has written extensively across the region’s political economy, covering investigative and enterprise topics for the newspaper; she has also appeared on several international TV networks offering a Middle Eastern perspective on the European debt crisis, as well as regular appearances on the BBC to discuss developments in Iraq and Syria. Hadeel has also had her own segment reading business headlines on ‘Inside The National’, a TV show on Abu Dhabi El Emarat, in addition to reading headlines on Abu Dhabi’s Classic FM.

She will now move on to take up the position of Gulf Senior Company News Correspondent on Reuters’ Gulf Finance team, where she will be breaking headline grabbing news on the region’s publicly-listed companies and mergers & acquisitions activity around business assets of regional, local and federal governments.

“After five years covering the Dubai financial crisis, its aftermath and its subsequent boom at Abu Dhabi’s newspaper of record The National, I am excited to start my new journey at Reuters,” says Hadeel. “I look forward to taking my experience and expertise to the next level by expanding my scope of coverage to the Arabian Gulf region.”