How will the “I-Film International Festival” celebrate Emirati cinema?

“Innovative Film Academy – Abu Dhabi” celebrates the Emirati film industry, through the third session of the “I-Film International Festival”, which will be held in the Yas Creative District, from 10 to 12 next April, through a program full of cinematic performances and interactive events, which also includes highlighting Arab and Indian cinema, and the Emirati contribution to its industry. The Arab Republic of Egypt was also chosen as the festival’s guest of honor. Celebrating her ancient cinematic legacy.

The organizers of the “Festival” announced the details of the third session of the “I-Film International Festival,” during a press conference, in the presence of Sarvana Prasad, founder and director of the festival, and the honorees from the UAE: artist Mansour Al-Faily, director Nasser Al-Dhaheri, and director Nayla Al-Khaja, and from Egypt: producer Hisham Soliman, actor and director of His Majesty’s Festival Ashraf Sarhan, in addition to Emirati production companies, “IBPG,” and an elite group of Emirati filmmakers.

The activities of the “I-Film International Festival” will begin with the screening of the Emirati film “Bab”, directed by Nayla Al Khaja, in addition to the premiere of the short film “Place U Call Home” and the musical film “Safest Light”, both produced by the “IFA” Academy and “Media Mania”.

At the opening ceremony, the “Festival” awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to the Emirati artist Mansour Al-Faily and the Egyptian artist Elham Shaheen. The festival also awarded the Honorary Award to the Emirati director and producer Nasser Al-Dhaheri, in appreciation of his extensive cinematic career and his influential contributions locally and internationally.

As part of the festival’s main program, the “Cinema Business Forum” will be organized; With the aim of facilitating dialogue and communication between investors, producers, Indian artistic bodies, and their Emirati counterparts, these interactions aim to explore opportunities for joint Indian-Arab production, and attract international productions to Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with Emirati production companies.

An elite group of film industry experts from Egypt also participate in the festival’s organizational council, including: producer Hisham Soliman, actor and festival director His Majesty Ashraf Sarhan, director Magdy Ahmed, musician Tamer Karawan, and a group of Egyptian cinema stars.

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The Emirati artist, Mansour Al Faili, chairs the festival’s competitions jury, which includes an elite group of cinematic names, which will be announced later, as the festival has begun receiving nominations for participating films, in all its categories, through the official website: www.ifilmfestivaluae.com.

The short film competition includes three categories this year: “Emirati Short Films,” “Arabic Short Films,” and “International Short Films,” in addition to the introduction of new competitions, most notably: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Competition,” “Creative Minds Challenge Competition,” “Still Stories Photography Competition,” “Rhythm Unleashed Competition,” and “Melody Competition.” Makers)».

The “I-Film International Festival” is supported by Abu Dhabi University and the Abu Dhabi Institute for Vocational Education and Training, two educational partners, in confirmation of its commitment to developing youth skills, as the “Festival” targets about five thousand students and young creators from various emirates of the country.

To celebrate Emirati cinema and its makers, a festival will be held
“I-Film Festival”, at Yas Creative District, Twofour 54″ in #Yas_Islandfrom April 10 to 12, 2026.
The festival’s activities will be opened with the Emirati film “Bab” by the director #Nayla_Alkhajain confirmation of the presence of local cinema.
The I-Film Festival in… pic.twitter.com/f3zt4Drd5F

– Zahrat Al Khaleej (@zahrat_khaleej) January 28, 2026

In exclusive statements to Zahrat Al Khaleej, Emirati director Nayla Al Khaja, director of the opening film, confirmed that her participation in the “festival” carries a special dimension. She said: “Showing the film (Bab) at the opening of an international festival in Abu Dhabi that celebrates Emirati cinema constitutes a moment of pride for every local filmmaker, and the joint cinematic activities and initiatives that the festival offers contribute to building a real bridge of communication between Emirati creators and the world.”

While the Emirati artist, Mansour Al-Faily, said that he is proud to be honored by the festival with the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Because it comes from a festival that places Emirati cinema at the heart of its attention, and believes in the role of the artist in preserving cultural identity and developing the cinematic scene, considering that the “I-Film International Festival” is a real platform; To empower talent and connect new generations to the film industry.

The Emirati director and producer, Nasser Al Dhaheri, expressed his happiness with the honor, saying: “The honorary award from the (I-Film International Festival) is a responsibility and appreciation, and it is also an incentive to continue presenting cinematic works that carry a humanitarian message and reflect the UAE’s cultural image that is open to the world.”

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