Dubai: How a local film festival turned 24 hours into cinematic gold

Khaleej Times

20 hours ago

From late-night screenwriting sparks to full-scale productions shot in just 24 hours, We Create Drama, a local film festival, turned into a proving ground for the UAE's boldest emerging filmmakers. Returning for its latest edition, the festival expanded its finalist roster to twelve short films, all produced under intense time constraints and shot across the bustling, glamorous spaces of Paramount Hotels in Dubai.
Over the course of a week, the festival unfolded in three acts: a rooftop Opening Night at Malibu Sky Lounge, hands-on filmmaking workshops led by industry experts, and a grand Closing & Awards Ceremony. The event, supported by Nikon Middle East FZE, Aputure Middle East, Grand Stores, Westford University, and Scripted Events, blended cinematic ambition with real-world creative hustle.
Among the most celebrated films of the festival was Cassandra's Client, a darkly comic short that took home three of the festival's top honours—Best Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Actress. Centered around a fraudulent spiritual guru whose séance goes wildly wrong, the film stood out for its sharp storytelling and ambitious visuals. The film's assistant director, representing the team in the absence of the director, shared that none of them expected the big win. 'We all have corporate jobs by day,' they said, 'but filmmaking is our real passion. This was a team effort through and through.'
For cinematographer Ashiq Georgi Abraham, capturing the film was as much about precision as it was about adaptability. Shooting inside a fully operational hotel meant navigating a complex, live environment. 'It was a full-running hotel, operating at maximum capacity,' he said. 'Shooting everything in 24 hours meant we had to be sharp, fast, and creative. Everyone had the same time limit and shooting conditions. The real challenge was: how different can you be?' With a background spanning commercials, documentaries, and short films, Ashiq views festivals like We Create Drama as vital platforms for experimentation and exposure.
Actress Romina Satvat, who played the titular Cassandra, stepped into the role as a last-minute replacement and delivered a performance that captivated the jury. 'Honestly, I didn't expect even a nomination,' she admitted. 'My friends hyped me up. But I gave it my all, and I'm really proud of what we created.' Originally from Iran and now based in Dubai, Romina balances her work between commercials, social media content, and short films. She believes every experience she's had—on and off set—deepens her ability to connect with her characters.
While Cassandra's Client dominated multiple categories, other winners left an equally lasting impression. Filmmaker Abdul Majid Abbasi took home Best Director for his film Mr. Brown, inspired by a quiet moment of play with his daughter during a hotel staycation.
The film follows John Smith and his family as they check into the seemingly perfect Paramount Hotel, only for things to take a dark turn. As his wife Maria begins to suspect something is wrong, the hotel staff gaslight her and guests grow eerily distant. Meanwhile, deep within the hotel, the sinister Mr. Brown savors a meat pie with unsettling ingredients—suggesting that not every guest leaves by choice.
A Pakistani expat living in Dubai for over a decade, Abdul transitioned from photography to cinematography and eventually into directing. 'There was a curtain I'd hide behind and ask my daughter to find me,' he explained. 'It made me think—what if people just started disappearing?' The concept evolved into a visually clever short enhanced by a mysterious mirror inside the hotel bathroom that turned opaque, giving the film a subtle supernatural edge. Despite the demanding 24-hour shoot, Abdul credits his team and the hotel staff for their seamless coordination. 'Filmmaking like this—it's a team sport.'
Best Script went to Joe Alexander for What We Leave Behind, a deeply personal story written as a tribute to someone dear he lost. 'The only way to become a filmmaker is to make a film,' Joe said simply. 'And festivals like this give people like us the platform to do that.' His script stood out for its emotional clarity and quiet power, resonating with judges and audiences alike.
Canadian actor and Dubai-based entrepreneur Teq Zwarych earned Best Actor for his performance in This Is Love Too, a film that explored vulnerability and connection with careful nuance.
It is a raw, darkly comic exploration of a relationship on the brink. Set in a therapist's office, Michael and Sarah appear calm and composed—but beneath the surface, their love is crumbling. His affection is performative; her silence screams volumes. As a simple letter reading spirals into a brutally honest confrontation, the film examines what happens when love doesn't break—it just bruises, slowly and repeatedly.
'What I loved most was the attention to detail across the board,' he said. 'The energy, the collaboration—it was a team win, 100%.' Teq, who also hosts and creates content commercially, said the experience reaffirmed his love for acting and storytelling.
All winners were selected by a distinguished jury featuring names like Egyptian film and TV star Mohammed Mamdouh, acclaimed Jordanian director and educator Razan Takash, award-winning filmmaker Jingyu Liu, and creatives from Nikon, Westford University, and the regional film community. The prizes were more than symbolic—winners walked away with professional filmmaking gear from Nikon, Aputure, and Zhiyun, as well as luxury hotel experiences designed to keep their creative fire alive.
And all it took was a hotel, a camera, and 24 hours to tell a story that would stick.