Image Nation Abu Dhabi, one of the leading media and entertainment companies in the Middle East, has announced the start of its fifth annual program.

Shortlisted from hundreds of applications, this year’s participants hail from across the region and include award-winning directors and recent film and media graduates looking to perfect their filmmaking skills.

The promising filmmakers will join the successful AFS Documentary program, which will take students on a six-month journey that mirrors the real process of developing and producing a documentary film. Participants will vie to secure an internship with Image Nation’s prestigious documentary department, responsible for internationally acclaimed productions such as HE NAMED ME MALALA and ANWAR ROMA.

Image Nation launched Arab Film Studio in 2011 to help develop the next generation of filmmakers in the UAE and the region. It is the only dedicated, free film training program in the UAE, and hosts separate courses for Narrative, Documentary, Scriptwriting and Young Filmmakers. AFS Young Filmmakers was recently launched in association with NYU, to offer multi-disciplinary training to budding Emirati filmmakers in High School.

To date over 100 participants have completed AFS programs, many of whom have garnered accolades for their films and started burgeoning careers in the UAE film industry. AFS films have been selected by more than 200 international festival selections from around the world, including HotDocs, LA Film Festival and DOC NYC.

For more information on Arab Film Studio, visit arabfilmstudio.ae