An upcoming Emirati feature film has received a major boost after being picked up for co-production support from Image Nation.
Hopes are high for the success of Going to Heaven, an ambitious coming-of-age tale directed by award-winner Saeed Salmeen Al Murry, which was filmed across the UAE.
Abu Dhabi’s Image Nation have now been announced as co-producers of the film, as it moves into post-production ahead of a theatrical release next year.
“I couldn’t have asked to partner with a better company to finish our film,” Al Murry says. “I greatly appreciate that Image Nation is a UAE company that goes out of its way to support local films.” Al Murry won the new Minister of the Interior award at last year’s Dubai International Film Festival, for which he was awarded US$100,000 (Dh367,000) to complete the project.
The Emirati also won the Best Director award at Diff in 2008. Going to Heaven is produced by Amer Al Murry, and marks the acting debut of young Emirati actors Ahmed Ibrahim Al Zaabi and Jumma Ibrahim Al Zaabi.
Filmed in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and Dubai, it will tell the story of 11-year-old Sultan, who is mourning his late grandmother.
Image Nation chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak said: "Going to Heaven is a great example of what we endeavour to achieve at Image Nation – supporting young actors, filmmakers and producers in the UAE to help make their dream careers become a reality."
rgarratt@thenational.ae