Filmed entertainment company Image Nation is set to screen two world premieres and two regional premieres at this year’s Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Audiences at ADFF will be the first in the world to see the Abu Dhabi-based company’s local productions – Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa’s highly anticipated, second feature film From A to B and As One, an insightful documentary about Autism in the UAE.

It was announced last week that From A to B, produced by Paul Baboudjian and Mohamed Hefzy (Who also wrote the script), would open the 8th edition of ADFF. Shot on location in the UAE and Jordan, the pan-Arab film follows three childhood friends on a life changing road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut. Twofour54 and Image Nation have teamed up with Rotana on this co-production.

As One, a documentary following the journey of ten children as they take part in a musical program designed for those the Autism spectrum, will have its world premiere on October 25 with a glittering red carpet for its child stars.

Critically acclaimed 99 Homes, directed by Ramin Bahrani and co-produced by Hyde Park / Image Nation Entertainment, will have its regional premiere in Abu Dhabi. Starring Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, the film follows a father struggling to get back the home his family was evicted from.

A second Hyde Park / Image Nation Entertainment production will also have its regional premiere at the festival. Midnight Sun is a live-action family film following a young boy who attempts to reunite an abandoned polar bear cub with its mother.

Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation said: “To have four premieres at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival – two global and two regional – is a huge achievement. It reflects the amount of talent and hard work, not just here at Image Nation, but in our various partner companies and in the UAE as a whole.

“ADFF is a chance to celebrate the filmmaking talent of the UAE and the wider region, and we think this year’s festival reflects the way our film industry is growing. This year has seen local projects like From A to B flourish alongside international blockbusters like Fast 7 and Star Wars, all filmed in the region.”

Ashok Amritraj, CEO of Hyde Park entertainment, one of Image Nation’s international partners commented: ““It is a pleasure to be returning to ADFF for another year with two Image Nation partnered films. Abu Dhabi has a great buzz about it during the festival season and it’s wonderful to be reunited with the Image Nation team.

“99 Homes has already had fantastic reviews at Venice and Toronto and Midnight Sun is a great family adventure – I’m excited for audiences in the Middle East to see them both.”

As well as the film premieres; Image Nation will stage the award ceremony for the third  annual Arab Film Studio during ADFF for the first time. The six finalists of the amateur film competition will be vying for the Best Film award and a 50,000AED prize fund.

From A to B will have its world premiere on the opening night of ADFF (Oct 23), followed by 99 Homes on October 24. As One and Midnight Sun will be screened on October 25, and the Arab Film Studio awards will take place on October 30.