Middlesex University Dubai laid out the red carpet for its annual ‘Premiere De MDX Studios’ held on 30 April 2019 at Roxy Cinema, City Walk. The premiere showcased the phenomenal work of four final year students from the University’s esteemed BA Honours Film programme.
A culmination of everything they have learned throughout their three years of study, the students were celebrated by a packed cinema featuring friends, family, industry leaders, and faculty. The featured independent short films were:
ENIGMA by Ehab Smadi
A story of struggle and solace as Noel Marston is thrown into solitary confinement and finds unexpected support from a fellow inmate who helps him escape.
ROOM 101 by Kino Fukuda
A story within a story. A writer pens a horror story that leads to his own death.
WAX CEMETERY by Philip Meyer
A fantasy thriller of maidens hunted by a monster – however, nothing is as it seems.
JACK IS COMING by Sarvenaz Beserati
A story with blurred lines between fiction and reality. A tale of revenge.
Covering a diverse range of genres and perspectives, each short film highlighted the imagination and technical ability that has been nurtured by the University’s flourishing Film, Media and Communication Department, rightly awarded by the prestigious Forbes Middle East Higher Education Awards as the ‘Best Media Centre’ in the region.
Speaking about the event, Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai commented, “Now in the second year, ‘Premiere De MDX Studios’ provides the perfect platform for our students to demonstrate their talent in filmmaking and strengthen their futures as the filmmakers of tomorrow. I would like to thank Roxy Cinemas for their continuous support, and wish our final year students all the success as they move into the next phase of their career.”
Dr David Tully, Campus Programme Coordinator of the Media School, added: “I speak for the entire department when I say that it was a proud moment to see the short films, for which each student has worked tirelessly for the past nine months, showcased on the big screen. We have no doubt that our students are going to achieve significant success in the world of storytelling and filmmaking.”
One of the highlights of the Media School, the Film programme is taught by faculty with outstanding industry credentials, who have experience in filmmaking, producing, and screenwriting. The University’s unique MDX Studios features industry-standard editing suites with colour grading suites, editing and VFX suites, an ADR booth, 4k editing facilities, and a newly-designed integrated learning space including a screening room. Middlesex University Dubai is the only university in the Middle East to be certified by Blackmagic Design, with certificates being issued to students by the end of their second year of the programme.
The Media School at Middlesex University Dubai offers an exciting mix of Undergraduate programmes across Film, Advertising PR & Branding, Journalism and Communications, and Digital Media. Students who wish to find out more about the range of programmes on offer at the University may visit www.mdx.ac.ae.
