Program launched in partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi

May 09, Abu Dhabi: Image Nation Abu Dhabi, a leading media and entertainment company, has partnered with New York University Abu Dhabi for a new filmmaking training program aimed at Emirati high-school students.

The AFS Young Filmmakers program will take place at the new NYU Abu Dhabi campus from July 10-28 and aims to teach youngsters the essence of filmmaking, taught by the region’s best industry professionals. Throughout the three-week workshop students will learn how to direct and produce their own 3-minute film.

Alicia Gonzalez, Head of Training at Image Nation, comments; “After the huge success of NYU Abu Dhabi Young Filmmakers in New York in 2015, we are very happy to introduce a brand-new training program to young people across the UAE. This is invaluable training for aspiring filmmakers and a positive encouragement of future talent.”

As part of the outreach process NYU Abu Dhabi will be visiting schools throughout Abu Dhabi, educating pupils on filmmaking and the AFS Young Filmmakers program. The course, however, will be open to pupils across all the Emirates and the final three-minute films will be showcased at an end-of-year ceremony.

NYU Abu Dhabi Program Head of Film and New Media Scandar Copti said, “NYU Abu Dhabi takes an interdisciplinary approach to film and new media that prepares students to be filmmakers, scholars, curators, and leaders in film and new media organizations and industries. Through this program, we aim to create a vibrant training experience for young Emirati artists giving them the opportunity to explore their creative talent while learning the necessary skills to be engaging storytellers”.

AFS Young Filmmakers is another example of Image Nation’s devotion to developing Emirati and regional talent with the aim of creating a sustainable film industry. It makes up the fourth course under the Arab Film Studio umbrella which will celebrate five years of success this year. Starting in 2011 with AFS Narrative dedicated to fictional moving pictures, it has subsequently added Documentary and Scriptwriting curriculums to the schedule and has seen many students graduate to aspiring careers in film.

“We are proud of our world class training opportunities and the Arab Film Studio programs remain at the core of this. The fact that it is now in its fifth year and we are adding new programs yearly is testament to its success and the commitment of our team”, explains Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation.

Submissions for AFS Young Filmmakers are open until May 28, for more information and criteria click here.