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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.”

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.”

Etisalat spotlights local production by twofour54

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As a result of the ongoing partnership between twofour54 and Etisalat, an extensive collection of films produced by twofour54 is now available for subscribed viewers on Etisalat’s video on demand platform (VOD), eLife on Demand, as well as Etisalat’s eLife Video Packs. The aim of this is to highlight local talents from the filmmaking industry, as well as reinforce Arabic content.

40 creative lab films and music videos will be shown, some of which have previously participated in Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival in New York and the Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival in the UK.

“twofour54’s creative lab intends to support young talent and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills and experiences through the appropriate media platforms,” says Maryan Al Mheiri, Chief Operating Officer, twofour54. “This initiative is an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to highlight their creative work through an established platform, showcase their projects to broader audiences and motivate others. twofour54’s creative lab films can now be accessed on Etisalat’s VOD, which is a testament to the quality of work our members are achieving and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Etisalat.”

Rashed Al Abbar, Vice President of Home Services at Etisalat adds, “As well as delivering top class TV content and entertainment to homes in the UAE, Etisalat is actively seeking new means of supporting the community of local artists and filmmakers. Through our wide reach in the UAE, we are excited about introducing a new platform for award-winning, homegrown talent to showcase their skills and creativity. Overall, our partnership with twofour54, one of the leading media hubs in the UAE, helps promote locally produced content and enhances the UAE’s film industry.”

For further information, contact William Royce at william.royce@twofour54.com / +971 (0)50 614 6653

Image Nation transferred to twofour54

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At a board meeting chaired by His Excellency Mohamed Ebrahim Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Media, the decision has been made to transfer Image Nation to Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority, twofour54. Founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation serves to help build foundations for the development of the entertainment industry in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

“Abu Dhabi Media is proud to have witnessed Image Nation grow so rapidly over just six years into one of the leading creators of media and entertainment content in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” says His Excellency Mohamed Ebrahim Al Mahmood. “Following a thorough examination of the prospects for future growth of the company and given our vision to focus on media content in the region, the Board of Directors feel it is the ideal time to transfer Image Nation to the Abu Dhabi Media Zone (twofour54). This move will ensure that Image Nation is in a position to continue creating quality media content for local and international audiences, and will benefit the local industry by creating jobs and opportunities for professional development, in collaboration with key international partners.”

Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54 adds, “We are very pleased to welcome Image Nation, one of the region’s leading content creators, to the twofour54 campus. Image Nation’s relocation to Abu Dhabi’s home of media and entertainment is a boost to the industry eco-system that we have created to support our growing media industry. Both twofour54 and Image Nation have shared goals of creating world-class content, developing regional talent and enabling local filmmakers to learn from international experts in the industry. We look forward to working even more closely with Image Nation in growing the UAE’s filmed entertainment sector.”

Abu Dhabi Media Summit 2014 theme announced

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Abu Dhabi Media Summit 2014 has announced the theme for this year’s event as ‘Driving and Sustaining Future Media in MENA and Beyond’. Powered by twofour54, this year’s theme highlights the recent developments in the media industry in the MENA region and further afield.

The fifth annual summit will focus on the future of media and technology, and discuss the impact it has on different interactions between corporations, communities and government entities with their target groups. Centred on Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global media hub, the summit will feature a combination of high-profile sessions, closed-door discussions and peer networking, bringing together top-tier global media and entertainment players in fast-growing markets.

“Abu Dhabi’s evolving role as a dynamic regional commercial hub for the media and entertainment sectors continues,” says H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Media Summit, and Chairman, Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority. “We look forward to welcoming industry leaders from around the world to the summit to engage in conversations at the forefront of the media business.”

This year’s summit will take place from November 18-20, at the Rosewood Hotel, Al Marya Island, Abu Dhabi.