Imagenation Abu Dhabi, in association with the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, today announced the launch of â€Mawahebâ€, a unique internship program focused on developing local film talent in the UAE. Mawaheb (which means talents in English) will offer Emirati students with an interest in filmmaking the opportunity to gain hands-on experience abroad.
Support will be provided by Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s international partners, including such leading production companies as Participant Media, National Geographic Films and Hyde Park Entertainment.
There will be a mix of internships on offer, including appointments at joint venture offices in Los Angeles and New York City, and placements on the films sets of productions across the United States and India.
H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Imagenation Abu Dhabi remarked: “The key to developing a sustainable film industry in the UAE is to nurture our homegrown talent. We have a generation of creative and gifted young Emiratis whose careers can only benefit from exposure to the best in the international film business. Our hope is that through our internship program, we can identify high-potential talent that can play a role in the future of film in this region.â€
“The introduction of our internship program follows the announcement of our first slate of diverse Emirati films and once again demonstrates our commitment to discovering and fostering a pool of new talent, with the objective of preparing them to work in the industry. Upon completing their international assignments, interns will be able to apply their learning by joining the ranks of our film crew, while continuing to receive guidance and on the ground training, in front of and behind the camera,” said Stefan Brunner, COO of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, “We are proud to be leveraging our international partnerships to create comprehensive industry training opportunities for aspiring Emirati filmmakers.”
“ One of our main goals is to find new talent and nurture them to help build the future of the film & TV industry in the UAE. This unique programme, by Imagenation Abu Dhabi will provide the Emirati filmmakers a great opportunity to develop their skills at an international level, Abu Dhabi film organizations are working in synergy towards the development of film talent in the UAE. We are proud that the Film Commission will partner with Imagenation Abu Dhabi to further build on the rich opportunities available to young Emirati filmmakers. †Said David Shepheard, Director of Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
Appointments at joint venture offices in Los Angeles and New York City are aimed at Emiratis who are interested in the business of filmmaking. These internships will last between one and three months, and will provide practical insight into the day-to-day business of movie making (development, production, distribution, sales and marketing) as well as theoretical filmmaking seminars with leading film institutions in LA. Candidates should be current students or recent graduates of business, film or broadcast, or young professionals in the media or emerging media space.
The month-long film set placements are aimed at Emirates interested in the creative side of filmmaking and will provide a more advanced experience in the disciplines of line-producing, camera work, costume design, make-up artistry and technical field work. These internships will last approximately one month on working sets in the United States and India. Candidates should be currently working in the film or broadcast industry, or graduating (2010) or recently graduated from film, broadcast, or media programs.
The application process will open on July 1. Please visit www.imagenation.ae for further information.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi is committed to developing the film industry in the UAE by producing films with Emirati content and talent, encouraging the growth of Emirati filmmakers, and advancing the quality of film production in the region. The company has a number of international partnerships which have allowed it to bring best-in-class experience and expertise back to the UAE to both develop local content and work closely with local talent, sharing the skills of Hollywood and the international production community with the industry in the UAE.
About Imagenation Abu Dhabi
As a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), Imagenation Abu Dhabi has rapidly become one of the world’s leading feature film producers, playing an instrumental role in the development of a film industry in the United Arab Emirates.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi develops, finances and produces Arabic and international features which offer fresh perspectives, have universal appeal and tell compelling stories that inspire, enlighten and entertain.
The company has formed strategic international partnerships to develop those stories with a range of high profile producers, including Participant Media, National Geographic Films, Hyde Park Entertainment, Parkes /Macdonald Productions, Warner Bros., and Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA). Together they are producing commercial films and content that opens a unique window to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition, Imagenation Abu Dhabi partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment — co-financing video games such as: SpeedRacer: The Videogame, Fear 2: Project Origin, Looney Tunes Acme Arsenal and Watchmen: The End is Nigh.
Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s feature films include the Bollywood hit My Name is Khan, The Crazies, Shorts, and Furry Vengeance, as well as an upcoming slate including Peter Weir’s The Way Back, Doug Liman’s Fair Game, and Jodie Foster’s The Beaver.
About Abu Dhabi Film Commission
Abu Dhabi Film Commission is an initiative launched by Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage in January 2009 with an objective of assisting the development of the Film and TV industry in Abu Dhabi, nurturing of new talent and contributing to the promotion of Arab culture through film.
