Premiere de MDX Studios 2025 is a Landmark Celebration of Emirati Heritage and Cinematic Innovation

Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai’s Première De MDX Studios delivered its most compelling showcase yet on Wednesday 30 April 2025, giving a platform to the bold, authentic voices of its film students on MENA’s largest cinema screen at Roxy Cinemas, Dubai Hills Mall.

From compelling Emirati documentaries that were awarded funding by the Al Qasimi Foundation, to futuristic dramas, this year’s lineup stood as a testament to MDX Studios' status as a regional pioneer in filmmaking education.   

The event drew a full house, and welcomed respected media representatives such as Mohamed AlMulla, CEO of Dubai Media, and global entertainment giants including Amazon, MBC Studios, Shahid and various other regional and international distribution partners. Award-winning director Dania Bdeir, whose Oscar-shortlisted film Warsha continues to resonate globally, was also in attendance.  

This year's five featured films, created by 16 graduating students in collaboration with more than 70 peers and alumni, were each crafted using industry-standard Blackmagic Design and RED camera ecosystems and mastered in Dolby Atmos sound, delivering a world-class cinematic experience.   

One of the most acclaimed works of the event was Echoes of the Land, a two-part Arabic documentary capturing vanishing cultural legacies in the UAE. Directed by Ali Fuad, and produced by Rahaf Walid, Naiem Ayman, and Hanzalah Alam, the films explored the songs and rituals of the UAE’s pearl divers and offered an intimate portrait of the 1,500-year-old Al-Shehhi Tribe in Ras Al Khaimah.   

The production was the result of nine months of immersive fieldwork, with the team living among the tribe for five days to document their daily lives, from fishing and seafaring to the vital social roles of women. The film earned an AED 25,000 grant from the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation and has already been commissioned for a follow-up series.

Ali, who was awarded Director of the Year at the event, said: "I was inspired by so many things. The fact that there is a tribe that still lives and exists in this way, maintaining traditions from 1,000 years ago…no one documented them. I felt a responsibility to go there and film them. Their story and their tradition is just mesmerising."  

The 2025 edition of Première De MDX Studios featured a vibrant mix of genres and languages: Arabic, English, and Sinhalese, demonstrating MDX Studios' commitment to diverse voices and storytelling.   
Films included:   

• The Guest Room – a darkly satirical drama interrogating the rise of hyper-personalised consumerism, surveillance capitalism, and the illusion of agency in a data-driven world. Directed by Vaishanvi Pramodh and produced by Anoushka Sunil and Afroz Nawaf, it’s the largest MDX Studios production to date. The film has already gained traction on the international festival circuit and is slated for global release.  
• Till Death Do Us Part – a romantic comedy directed by Zariash Kadyrbekova, produced by Youssef El-Essawy and Tala Sleiman.   
• Two Packets of Sugar, Trust Me – a science fiction thriller directed by Harsh Purohit, produced by Zara Farooki, awarded Outstanding Student 2025.   
• Thaththa – the first MDX Studios film in the Sinhalese language, directed by Chamith Perera and produced by Rahaf Waleed and Hanzalah Alam.   

Following the premiere, the student films can be entered into film festivals and awards globally. One student, Anoushka Sunil, has already received mass recognition for her work, including Best Director for Short Film, and Best First-Time Film Maker at Cannes World Film Festival 2023, and Best Student Film at New York Film and Actor Awards in 2024.

Anoushka said: “Studying at MDX Dubai allowed me to let my mind roam freely and tap into creative depths I hadn’t accessed before. I was nurtured in a deeply collaborative and supportive environment, where my professors didn’t just teach - they mentored.  

“Whether it was writing, directing, producing, or mastering the technical side of filmmaking, they pushed me at the right moments and gave me space when I needed it.   

“More than anything, being surrounded by equally driven and talented peers created a sense of community that extended beyond the classroom. We learned from each other, built together, failed together, and celebrated each other's wins.”  

MDX Studios: A Launchpad for Professional Filmmakers

Praised for its ‘script-to-screen’ learning approach, MDX Studios continues to redefine film education in the region. The BA Honours Film programme offers unparalleled access to professional-grade tools, including RED cameras, Blackmagic Design equipment, editing suites, and Dolby Atmos mixing, enabling students to produce content that meets global distribution standards.   

MDX Dubai have established lasting relationships with cinema giants such as Roxy Cinemas, who have been proud supporters of the programme, championing creativity and providing a platform for emerging voices by offering the incredible experience of showcasing the premiere films on the largest screen in MENA.    

Each film is guided and mentored by Head of MDX Studios Afroz Nawaf, and MDX Dubai Senior Lecturer in Film, Deema Maghalseh.   

Afroz said: “Our students don’t just study film - they live it. Every project is a hands-on opportunity that refines their craft and prepares them for immediate success in the industry. Our focus on experiential learning is why MDX Studios at Middlesex University Dubai is recognised as one of the best film programmes in the region.”  

Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai, added: “MDX Studios is the only film school in the region that gives students the opportunity to engage so closely with the industry. Our investment in talent, technology, and partnerships reflects our commitment to championing regional voices on the global stage.”

With a growing reputation as a hub for independent filmmaking in the UAE, Première De MDX Studios 2025 reaffirmed MDX Studios’ mission: to empower storytellers, elevate regional narratives, and prepare graduates for successful careers in a fast-evolving global film industry.    

In keeping with the theme of excellence and career-focused education, MDX Dubai has officially been granted its institutional licensure by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR).   

This initial licensure marks another step in the university's commitment to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence and offers further assurance of its reputation as a world-class academic institution.   

Launch your thriving film career at one of the UAE’s top film schools and graduate ready for the spotlight. Applications are open now for the September 2025 intake of the BA (Honours) Film programme.