An Emirati feature film will have its premiere at next year’s edition of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
The drama Shebab Sheyah, directed by Yasir Al Yasiri and produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, will screen on January 5 at the prestigious event in the United States.
The Arabic language film - featuring an all-star cast led by Kuwaiti actor Saad Al Faraj, Syria’s Salloum Hadad and Emirati actors Mansour Al Feeli and Marie Al Halyan - follows the adventures of four senior citizens whose quiet retirement is disrupted when one of them receives a Dh50 million inheritance.
"I am honoured that Shebab Sheyab will be having its world premiere at the prestigious Palm Springs International Film Festival," said Al Yasiri in a statement.
“The festival is one of the highlights in the film calendar which has always been a champion of Arab cinema. I can’t wait for audiences to see it”.
Al Feeli echoed those sentiments: "After months of hard work, dedication and passion, it is amazing to see Shebab Sheyab debut on the international stage. I hope audiences enjoy watching it as much as we did making it"
Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s Head of Narrative Ben Ross hopes the film’s inclusion in the festival acts as a showcase for the UAE as a regional production hub.
“International film festivals are the perfect platform to showcase the UAE film industry,” he said.
"The volume of local productions has been growing the last few years, demonstrating how important the UAE is to the regional market. Shebab Sheyab clearly demonstrates the wealth of talent we have in this region, both in front of and behind the camera."
The Palm Springs International Film Festival runs from January 2-5. For deatails go to www.psfilmsfest.org
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