The highly-anticipated super natural thriller, Djinn, produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, will premiere at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Film Festival, it was announced today.

The film, based in the UAE and shot on location in Ras Al-Khaimah and Dubai, was directed by the ‘master of horror’ Tobe Hooper, who is famous for his terrifying, Hollywood blockbusters such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist.

Djinn will premiere at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on October 25, followed by a theatrical release in time for Halloween on October 31.

Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Image Nation, said: “This has been an exciting project for us to work on here at Image Nation, being one of the few films to be set and shot in the UAE. We pride ourselves on home grown projects and are excited for the UAE public to see our second feature film.  Next year we go into production on our third.”

“We’re so pleased that the premiere is at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, where we also debuted Sea Shadow in 2011.  It’s a wonderful festival with a great audience.”

The legend of the Djinn has been retold for generations and the new film has given a modern spin on the story.  Djinn follows the plight of an Emirati couple who move back from the US to their home in Ras Al-Khaimah, only to discover that their lives are connected with those of the Djinn.

Image Nation cast a number of Middle Eastern stars in the film, including Razane Jammal, who has starred in a number of international productions, including Kanye West’s short film Cruel Summer, which premiered in Cannes last year. The Lebanese actress plays the leading lady, Salama.

Razane commented on her time in the film:  “I felt so blessed and excited to be a part of Djinn – and working with Tobe Hooper, a director of such caliber, was a dream come true!

“Image Nation are pioneers in this field, especially with regards to Djinn and I feel it will raise the bar for everyone in the industry. It is admirable that a movie like Djinn came from the UAE – I feel honored to have been a part of it.”

Djinn will be released to the public on October 31 at selected theatres across the UAE and the G.C.C, with special midnight screenings for Djinn fans on October 30.