What Image Nation Abu Dhabi does

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is a film and television production company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operating under the trade name Image Nation Studios. Founded in 2008, it functions as Abu Dhabi's government-backed film development company, closely affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and the Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi. The company employs 51-100 staff and produces feature films, television series, and documentary content, with a pronounced specialization in horror genre productions and a growing footprint in unscripted television. Its core capabilities center on co-production financing, production services, location access (notably Abu Dhabi's Liwa Desert), and leveraging UAE film incentives to anchor international productions.

The company's revenue model rests on three streams: licensing and royalty participation from film co-productions (e.g., Dune: Part Three with Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment, horror slate with Spooky Pictures, A24, Blumhouse, and Focus Features), production services revenue from international productions filming in Abu Dhabi, and licensing fees from television series such as Million Dollar Listing UAE distributed on STARZPLAY in the Middle East. Distribution is routed through major theatrical distributors (Warner Bros., A24, Neon, Focus Features, PVR Inox Pictures) and streaming platforms (Netflix, OSN+, MBC Shahid, Shudder). The company does not publicly disclose pricing for its production services or licensing terms.

Image Nation's strategic position is reinforced by a seven-year partnership with Legendary Entertainment across all three Dune films, marquee franchise acquisitions (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Mandela Catalogue, Siren Head), and repeat co-production economics with genre specialists Spooky Pictures. Government affiliation through Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 provides structural advantages including production subsidies, location infrastructure, and streamlined permitting — advantages not available to commercial production entities operating outside the UAE. The company maintains a global production footprint, with theatrical releases in the Middle East, North America, Europe, and India, and is actively expanding its horror IP library and unscripted television output as of 2025-2027.

Name

Image Nation Abu Dhabi

Legal name

Image Nation Abu Dhabi

Website

https://imagenationabudhabi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is a government-backed film and television production studio operating as Image Nation Studios, producing feature films (notably horror), unscripted TV, and co-productions with major Hollywood studios including Warner Bros., Legendary, A24, and Blumhouse, leveraging Abu Dhabi's production incentives and locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Co-Production & Treaty Structuring (MPADAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Development & Packaging (IP Sourcing, Script, Attachments) (MPADAAAA), Distribution Strategy & Release Planning (MPADAAAL)

Keywords

• Film production
• Television production
• Horror films
• Documentary production
• Co-production services

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Film Production and Co-production: Image Nation Studios generates revenue through co-producing films with international partners, receiving licensing fees and distribution revenue shares from theatrical and streaming releases.
2. Television and Series Production: Production of reality television series like Million Dollar Listing UAE, generating revenue through licensing to streaming platforms.
3. Production Services and Incentives: Revenue generated through Abu Dhabi Film Commission support and production services for international productions like Dune: Part Three.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is a film and television production company (operating as Image Nation Studios) that co-produces feature films, television series, and documentaries with international partners. Its portfolio spans horror, drama, and documentary genres, with titles released theatrically through major studios (Warner Bros., Neon, A24, Focus Features) and via streaming platforms (STARZPLAY, Netflix, Shudder). The company leverages Abu Dhabi's government-backed production incentives and filming infrastructure to attract co-production partners.

Product overview

Image Nation Abu Dhabi is a film and entertainment production company operating as Image Nation Studios. The company produces feature films across multiple genres (primarily horror), documentary content, and television series. The portfolio includes films such as HOBA (2025), HOKUM (2026), UNDERTONE (2026), Al Kameen, The Plague (2025), and Late Night with the Devil (2024). The company also co-produces projects with partners including Spooky Pictures, A24, Blumhouse, and others, with films like Company (2026), 4 X 4: The Event, and V/H/S: SCP (2027) in development. Television offerings include the reality series Million Dollar Listing UAE.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HOBA Feature film produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, released in 2025 and available for streaming on digital platforms.
• HOKUM Horror film produced by Image Nation, Tailored Films, and Spooky Pictures, starring Adam Scott, released in 2026 and distributed theatrically by PVR Inox Pictures in India.
• UNDERTONE Feature film produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, released in 2026 and available for streaming.
• Al Kameen
• The Plague Feature film produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, released in 2025 and currently available for streaming.
• Late Night with the Devil Feature film produced by Image Nation Abu Dhabi, released in 2024 and available for streaming.
• Company Gothic mystery film directed by Academy Award winner Casey Affleck, co-produced by Image Nation Studios with Spooky Pictures, Artists Equity, Arcana Studio, and Artemis Pictures, featuring Nick Nolte, Adelaide Clemens, Ben Mendelsohn, and Scoot McNairy.
• 4 X 4: The Event Horror film directed by Alex Ullom, co-produced by Spooky Pictures, Image Nation Studios, Divide/Conquer, and Phobos, with worldwide distribution acquired by Neon.
• V/H/S: SCP Horror anthology film based on the SCP Foundation universe, a collaboration between Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios.
• Million Dollar Listing UAE Reality TV series set in Dubai and Abu Dhabi property market, produced by Navigation Films, format licensed from NBCUniversal Formats, streaming on STARZPLAY in the Middle East with Season 2 premiering December 10, 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over USD 111 million domestic box office for Obsession (Focus Features' highest-grossing domestic film)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Artists EquityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-production partner for 'Company' gothic mystery film directed by Casey Affleck, featuring ensemble cast including Nick Nolte, Adelaide Clemens, Ben Mendelsohn, and Scoot McNairy.
• Arcana StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-production partner for Casey Affleck's 'Company' gothic mystery film.
• Artemis PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-production partner for Casey Affleck's 'Company' gothic mystery film.
• AGCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Handling international sales for 'Company' film alongside Spooky Pictures.
• Gersh, Cinetic, and Range SelectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Managing North American distribution for 'Company' gothic mystery film.
• Warner Bros. PicturesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-production partner for Dune: Part Three. Seven-year production partnership spanning all three Dune films with Legendary Entertainment.
• Legendary EntertainmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Co-producer on Dune: Part Three with over decade-long partnership with Abu Dhabi Film Commission spanning all three Dune installments. International release December 16, 2026, North American release December 18, 2026.
• Abu Dhabi Film CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Government body supporting film production in Abu Dhabi. Provided production infrastructure, incentives, and location access for Dune: Part Three (Liwa Desert as Arrakis) with 600+ UAE residents employed.
• Creative Media Authority Abu DhabiflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Government authority collaborating on Dune: Part Three production, supporting Abu Dhabi's creative ecosystem development.
• Epic FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Production partner on Dune: Part Three throughout the seven-year partnership across all three Dune films.
• United ArtistsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Won 11-studio auction for The Mandela Catalogue YouTube horror franchise alongside Amblin Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios.
• Amblin EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Won 11-studio auction for The Mandela Catalogue YouTube horror franchise alongside United Artists and Amazon MGM Studios.
• Amazon MGM StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Won 11-studio auction for The Mandela Catalogue YouTube horror franchise alongside United Artists and Amblin Entertainment.
• Warner Bros.flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2026Secured Siren Head internet horror franchise in separate bidding war. Major studio partner for Dune franchise.
• Focus FeaturesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2026Backed 'Anything But Ghosts' horror film and distributed the successful 'Obsession' ($111M+ domestic box office, Focus Features' highest-grossing domestic film).
• Blumhouse-Atomic MonsterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Co-producer on 'Anything But Ghosts' horror film expansion of the Obsession franchise. Jason Blum's Blumhouse is a leading horror production company.
• PVR Inox PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Distributor for 'Hokum' horror film in Indian theatres, opening May 8, 2026.
• A24flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2026Acquired franchise rights for 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' after competitive bidding. Developing TV series (directed by JT Mollner) and feature film with Image Nation as executive producers.
• Exurbia FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Producers on 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' reboot alongside Spooky Pictures and Image Nation.
• Barnstorm (Glen Powell)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Glen Powell's production company serving as executive producer on Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise alongside Dan Cohen.
• Spooky PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Recurring co-production partner on multiple horror films including '4 X 4: The Event', 'Company', 'Hokum', 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre', and 'V/H/S: SCP'. Led by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, Spooky Pictures specializes in horror genre content.
• NeonflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Acquired worldwide distribution rights to '4 X 4: The Event' horror film. Neon is a leading independent theatrical distributor known for horror releases.
• Divide/ConquercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-producer on '4 X 4: The Event' horror film alongside Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios.
• PhobosminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-producer on '4 X 4: The Event' horror film.
• AGC StudioscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Creative partner listed on Image Nation Studios website for co-production opportunities.
• Cinetic MediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Creative partner and North American distribution partner for 'Company' film.
• Blumhouse ProductionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner on 'Anything But Ghosts' horror film expansion; leading horror production company.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Streaming partner for content distribution in UAE and internationally.
• ShuddercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Horror-focused streaming platform partner for content distribution.
• OSN+coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Middle East streaming platform partner for content distribution.
• MBC ShahidcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Arabic streaming platform partner for Middle East content distribution.
• twofour54coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Abu Dhabi's media zone authority supporting production operations and licensing.
• MBC StudioscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Middle East broadcasting and production partner.
• National GeographiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Creative partner for documentary content development.
• Atlantic ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Creative partner for documentary content alongside National Geographic.
• Independent Film CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Creative partner for independent film co-productions.
• STARZPLAYcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2025Streaming platform for 'Million Dollar Listing UAE' Season 2 premiere on December 10, 2025. Co-premiere arrangement with Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
• Navigation FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Production company producing 'Million Dollar Listing UAE' reality series for Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
• NBCUniversal FormatscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2025Format licensing partner for 'Million Dollar Listing UAE' reality series.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ImageNationAD
• Facebookfacebook.com/ImageNationAbuDhabi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Image Nation Abu Dhabi