AUS film students attend secret preview of Hoba, Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari’s upcoming psychological thriller, ahead of UAE release

On October 7, AUS students were given early access to watch Hoba, an upcoming Emirati psychological horror-thriller directed by Majid Al Ansari, through a private on-campus screening. The film is set for nationwide release in UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025.

Produced by Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Oscar-winning studio behind productions like Al Kameen, Hoba is one of the most anticipated Emirati features in recent years. For AUS students, the opportunity to watch the film before its release was a rare learning experience, offering direct exposure to the UAE’s growing film industry and the creative work of one of the region’s most notable filmmakers.

Following the screening, William Mullally, Art and Culture Editor at The National, moderated an in-depth conversation with director Majid Al Ansari, cast member Eman Tarik, and Fatima Aldhaheri, Development Executive at Image Nation Abu Dhabi. Students were able to hear first-hand about the filmmaking process, the challenges of producing a psychological thriller in the UAE, and the place of Emirati cinema in a global context.

Majid Al Ansari, the director of Hoba, said: ‘Bringing Hoba to AUS ahead of its release was a privilege. For me, sharing the film with young filmmakers is just as important as releasing it to the wider public, because they represent the future of our industry. Their curiosity, questions, and perspectives remind us why we tell stories in the first place - to spark dialogue, to challenge, and to inspire. I hope this experience encourages them to keep pushing boundaries and to believe in the potential of Emirati cinema.’

Mohammed Mamdouh, Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD), said, “We thank Image Nation and Majid Al Ansari for coming to campus to inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Bringing a preview like this to AUS takes a lot of coordination, but it is worth it when students get to learn directly from leading professionals, known locally and internationally, and catalyze their growth as filmmakers.”

Students described the evening as both inspiring and eye-opening, offering them the chance to connect classroom learning with professional practice as they prepare to take their own creative work into the industry.

AUS students can study film through CAAD’s Bachelor of Science in Film and New Media Design degree program or through the college’s minor in film. For more information about CAAD’s cutting-edge programs, visit www.aus.edu/caad.