I-Film Festival Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi on April 10

Apr 9, 2026

77 min

Apr 9, 2026 10:30

I-Film Festival to open in Abu Dhabi on April 10

## Celebrating Emirati Cinema

The I-Film Festival is set to commence in Abu Dhabi from April 10 to 12, focusing on Emirati cinema and its creators. The event will take place at Yas Creative Hub on Yas Island and will showcase a variety of films from the UAE, Arab, and Indian filmmakers.

## Festival Highlights

The festival will open with "Bab," directed by Nayla Al Khaja, and close with "Samson of the Arabs" by Nasser Al Dhaheri. Organized by the Innovative Film Academy, the event is supported by Abu Dhabi University and the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute.

## Honoring Achievements

Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to Emirati actor Mansoor Al Feeli and Egyptian actress Elham Shaheen. Additionally, Nasser Al Dhaheri will receive an honorary award for his contributions to cinema.

## Special Screenings and Forums

The festival will feature the premiere of "The Place U Call Home" and the musical "Light Safest," created by students of the Innovative Film Academy. A dialogue forum will also be held to foster collaborations between UAE and Indian filmmakers.

## Focus on Co-Productions

Saravana Prasad, the festival director, emphasized Abu Dhabi's role as a hub for creative industries and highlighted the importance of co-productions between the UAE, India, and the Arab world. The festival will launch "Old Buddies," the first Indo-Arab co-production, starring Mansoor Al Feeli and Nasser Mahboob.

## Talent Development

The Innovative Film Academy has trained over 1,000 students and received numerous film submissions, aiming to support emerging filmmakers in the region.

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