Overview
The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) operated from 2007 to 2015 as one of the Gulf region's most prominent film festivals. The festival is no longer active. Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the government-backed media company that operated ADFF, now focuses on direct film and television production. In 2025-2026, Image Nation co-produced titles premiering at SXSW (Hokum, 2026), Cannes (The Plague, the first Abu Dhabi co-produced feature to premiere at the festival), and BFI London Film Festival (Hoba, 2025). Filmmakers seeking Gulf region festival exposure should submit to the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah instead.
ADFF was established in 2007 as the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. It was renamed Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2010. At its peak, the festival screened over 100 films from more than 50 countries and presented the Muhr Award for Arab cinema alongside international prizes. The Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi discontinued ADFF in 2015 after eight editions, shifting priorities toward direct content investment and production infrastructure through twofour54 (Abu Dhabi's media and entertainment free zone) and Image Nation.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi, established in 2008, employs approximately 49 people with an annual revenue of approximately $15 million. The studio has produced content screened at over 400 international film festivals and has received two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and an Emmy. Current CEO Ben Ross leads the studio's strategy of placing Emirati talent in creative and decision-making roles across film, television, and emerging formats. Image Nation is a subdivision of the Creative Media Authority.
Current Status: No Festival, Active Production
ADFF does not accept submissions and has not operated since 2015. There is no indication of a revival. Filmmakers should not attempt to submit films to ADFF.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi's current activities (2025-2026):
Image Nation operates as a production studio, not a festival. Its 2025-2026 slate includes:
- *Hokum* - co-produced with Spooky Pictures, directed by Damian McCarthy, starring Adam Scott. World premiere at SXSW 2026. A horror film marking Image Nation's continued genre partnership with Spooky Pictures (Sam Raimi and Roy Lee's banner).
- *The Plague* - the first Abu Dhabi co-produced feature film to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, produced through the Spooky Pictures partnership.
- *Hoba* - won Best Picture in Fantastic Fest's horror competition (2025), selected for the 58th Sitges Film Festival, screened at BFI London Film Festival, and won Best Feature Film and Best Actress (Bdoor Mohammed) at the 2025 Gulf Film Festival in Oman.
- *Hokum* - set for release in 2026 with Abu Dhabi production involvement.
- *Dune: Part 3 - Image Nation is a production partner, with principal photography returning to Abu Dhabi's desert locations (as with Dune and Dune: Part Two*).
- *Menace* - forthcoming release from the Spooky Pictures partnership, with Image Nation development executive Alia Alqemzi contributing across the project.
Image Nation also runs training and development programs for Emirati filmmakers, including the Arab Film Studio program (2011-2023), which placed Emirati creatives in roles across development, production, and post-production. The studio's content has streamed globally on Netflix, making it the first UAE company with multiple productions on the platform.
Historical Festival Structure (2007-2015)
During its operational years, ADFF had the following structure:
- Black Pearl Award - the top competitive prize for international films
- Muhr Award - competitive recognition for Arab films, the most significant Arab cinema prize at the time
- Special Presentations - high-profile premieres
- Tributes - career recognition for major filmmakers
- SANAD Fund - development and post-production fund for Arab world filmmakers, launched in 2011, providing grants, screenwriting workshops, and mentorship meetings
The festival was held annually in October in Abu Dhabi. Peter Scarlet, former artistic director of the San Francisco International Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival, was appointed festival director in 2010 and shifted the festival's focus to presenting Arab cinema alongside international films. Ali Al Jabri took over the role in 2012.
Past Winners
The Black Pearl Award was the festival's top competitive prize, with cash awards totaling approximately $700,000 in its final editions. Notable winners include:
- 2014 (8th edition): Leviathan directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev (Russia) - Best Narrative Film; Theeb directed by Naji Abu Nowar (Jordan) - Best Arab Film in New Horizons; The Wonders directed by Alice Rohrwacher (Italy) - New Horizons Black Pearl
- 2013 (7th edition): A Touch of Sin directed by Jia Zhangke (China) - Best Narrative Film; Still Life directed by Uberto Pasolini (UK) - New Horizons Black Pearl; Memories on Stone directed by Shawkat Amin Korki (Iraq) - Best Arab Film
- 2012 (6th edition): Araf directed by Yesim Ustaoglu (Turkey) - Best Narrative Film; A World Not Ours directed by Mahdi Fleifel (Lebanon) - Best Documentary
- 2011 (5th edition): Chicken with Plums directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud (France) - Best Narrative Feature; A Separation directed by Asghar Farhadi (Iran) - Special Jury Award
- 2010: Silent Souls directed by Aleksei Fedorchenko (Russia) - Best Narrative Film; Here Comes the Rain directed by Bahij Hojeij (Lebanon) - Best Arab Narrative Film
The Muhr Award for Arab cinema was one of the most significant Arab film prizes during the festival's operation, with winners receiving $50,000 to $100,000 in cash prizes.
Notable Alumni
ADFF was a launching platform for several filmmakers who achieved international recognition:
- Naji Abu Nowar - Theeb (2014) won Best Arab Film at ADFF before being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (Jordan's first Oscar nomination)
- Alice Rohrwacher - The Wonders (2014) won the New Horizons Black Pearl before winning the Grand Prix at Cannes
- Jia Zhangke - A Touch of Sin (2013) won the Black Pearl for Best Narrative Film after winning Best Screenplay at Cannes
- Andrey Zvyagintsev - Leviathan (2014) won the Black Pearl after winning Best Foreign Film at the BFI London Film Festival and receiving an Oscar nomination
- Mahdi Fleifel - A World Not Ours (2012) won three ADFF awards (FIPRESCI, NETPAC, Best Documentary) before international theatrical release
- Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012) received the Special Jury Award in New Horizons before its wider acclaim and Oscar nominations
- Hiam Abbass - received the Black Pearl Career Achievement Award in 2013
Submission Tips
ADFF is no longer operational and does not accept submissions. Filmmakers who would have targeted ADFF should consider the following alternatives:
- Red Sea International Film Festival (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) - the primary active Gulf festival, accepting open submissions annually with the Red Sea Fund providing development, production, and post-production grants for Arab world and African filmmakers
- Image Nation Abu Dhabi - for co-production partnerships rather than festival submission. Image Nation actively co-produces with international partners, particularly through the Spooky Pictures partnership for genre films. Contact Image Nation directly through their official website for projects that create opportunities for Emirati creatives
- Cairo International Film Festival - the oldest active festival in the Arab world, accepting submissions for Arab and international films
- Marrakech International Film Festival - another active North African festival with industry programming
Filmmakers should not attempt to submit films to ADFF. The festival has been discontinued since 2015 with no plans for revival.
Industry Reputation
ADFF was, during its operation (2007-2015), one of the Gulf region's most prominent film festivals and a significant platform for Arab cinema. The festival's Black Pearl Award carried substantial cash prizes (up to $100,000 for Best Narrative Film) and attracted high-quality international and Arab submissions. The SANAD development and post-production fund supported Arab world filmmakers with grants and mentorship.
The festival's discontinuation in 2015 reflected a broader shift in the Gulf region's entertainment strategy from festival hosting to direct content investment and production infrastructure. Image Nation Abu Dhabi, which operated ADFF, redirected its resources toward direct film and television production, building co-production relationships with Hollywood studios and international partners.
Image Nation has since produced content screened at over 400 international film festivals, received two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and an Emmy, and became the first UAE company with multiple productions streaming globally on Netflix. The studio's 2025-2026 slate includes co-productions premiering at SXSW, Cannes, and BFI London, demonstrating that the region's film industry has evolved from festival programming to production partnerships.
Awards and Accreditation
ADFF was a non-FIAPF festival during its operation. The festival's competitive structure included the Black Pearl Award (narrative features, new horizons, documentary), the Muhr Award for Arab cinema, and the SANAD Fund for development and post-production support. The festival is no longer operational and no awards are presented.
What Filmmakers Should Know
ADFF is not operational. Do not submit films to ADFF. The festival has been discontinued since 2015 and there are no plans for revival.
For filmmakers seeking Gulf region festival exposure: The active festival in the Gulf region is the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which runs annually in December and accepts open submissions. The Red Sea Fund provides development, production, and post-production grants for Arab world and African filmmakers.
For filmmakers seeking Image Nation partnership: Image Nation Abu Dhabi actively co-produces films with international partners. The Spooky Pictures partnership (with Sam Raimi and Roy Lee) has produced multiple genre films with Image Nation backing. Filmmakers with projects that could benefit from Abu Dhabi production infrastructure or Emirati co-production should contact Image Nation directly through their official website. The studio's focus is on placing Emirati talent in meaningful creative roles, so projects that create opportunities for Emirati creatives are more likely to align with Image Nation's mandate.
For filmmakers considering Abu Dhabi as a production location: Abu Dhabi offers the twofour54 media free zone, which provides production infrastructure, post-production facilities, and tax incentives. Dune: Part 3 is filming in Abu Dhabi as of 2026, continuing the franchise's use of the emirate's desert landscapes. The Creative Media Authority oversees the media sector and can provide information on current incentives and facilities.
For Arab world filmmakers: The discontinuation of ADFF and the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF, on hiatus since 2018) left a gap in Gulf festival infrastructure. The Red Sea International Film Festival has partially filled this gap. The Arab Film Studio program (2011-2023) provided training pathways for Emirati filmmakers, and Image Nation continues to develop Emirati talent through its production slate, though the formal AFS program has concluded.
Festival History
The Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) debuted in 2007 with 152 movies and 186 screenings across five Abu Dhabi venues. It was established with the support of H.E. Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazroui as General Director of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), with Nashwa Al Ruwaini as executive director.
In 2010, the festival was rebranded as the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Peter Scarlet was appointed director, shifting focus to Arab cinema alongside international programming. The SANAD development and post-production fund launched in 2011, providing grants and support for Arab world filmmakers.
From 2012, the festival operated under the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi through twofour54. Scarlet left the role in August 2012, with Ali Al Jabri taking over. ADFF was officially discontinued after its eighth edition in 2015. The Media Zone Authority announced the closure as part of a shift in priorities toward direct content investment, production infrastructure, and platform development. Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, stated that Image Nation's combination of Hollywood relationships and local production knowledge would be redirected toward building the media sector through production rather than festival programming.
The closure of ADFF and DIFF (Dubai) within a few years of each other reflected a broader shift in the Gulf region's entertainment strategy: from festival hosting to direct content investment, production infrastructure development, and streaming platform partnerships. Image Nation has since produced content screened at over 400 international festivals, received two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and an Emmy, and became the first UAE company with multiple productions streaming globally on Netflix.
Watch
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History of the Emirates, produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Atlantic Productions. The landmark documentary series covers 125,000 years of UAE history, narrated by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons. This is the type of production Image Nation now focuses on instead of festival programming.
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A documentary about the history of Abu Dhabi, UAE, providing context for the region's cultural evolution that ADFF sought to celebrate during its operational years.
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Road to Abu Dhabi: A Documentary on the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, reflecting the UAE's broader investment in cultural and sporting events that followed the festival's closure.
See Also
For active Middle Eastern festivals, see Red Sea International Film Festival. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy. For international film markets, see International Film Markets. To calculate the return on investment for festival submissions, use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator.
