ABU DHABI: Some of the biggest names in Emirati cinema are coming together to judge the next generation of regional film talent as part of Image Nation Abu Dhabi’s amateur film competition, Arab Film Studio (AFS).

FREEJ creator Mohammed Saeed Harib and directors Nawaf Al-Jannahi (Sea Shadow), Ali Mostafa (City of Life, From A to B) and Majid Al-Ansari (Zinzana) have joined a panel of industry experts that will crown the winner of the fifth annual AFS competition.

Other judges includes Hollywood Producer Laurie Macdonald of Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Academy Award nominee Scandar Copti, Hyde Park Entertainment Chairman Ashok Amritraj, American actor David Hasselhoff, and past AFS winners Sara Saber, Mohamed Magdy and Fatma Al-Daheri.

Harib, who created the region’s first computer animated television series, said: “Arab Film Studio is an incredible opportunity for filmmakers in the region. To be taught by some of the leading industry experts and be given access to the top filmmaking tools in the industry is fantastic — I wish it was around when I was starting out!

“It’s an honor to be judging this year and I can’t wait to see what these participants have come up with.”

The Arab Film Studio was created in 2011 in partnership with Image Nation and twofour54, as a short film competition to discover untapped talent and to give aspiring young filmmakers the tools and knowledge to build a career for themselves.

AFS teaches all aspects of filmmaking from development to production and culminates with the students producing a seven to 10 minute short film. The judges will have the final decision on awards, including Best Film, which includes a money-can’t-buy prize — an internship with Image Nation.

The competition is open to filmmakers from the UAE — both Emirati and residents — with any level of filmmaking skills.

To apply, participants should film a short 1-3 minute video along with a short story or treatment. For details on how to apply, visit www.arabfilmstudio.com