Held on the eve of its regional release, BAAB’s official UAE premiere took place at VOX Cinemas, Wafi City, bringing together leading figures from film, culture, and the creative industries. The evening marked a celebratory moment not only for the film, but for the growing visibility and confidence of Emirati cinema on the global stage.

The premiere welcomed Oscar Award–winning composer A. R. Rahman as Guest of Honour, underscoring the film’s international calibre and artistic ambition. The esteemed audience included H.E. Sumaya Bin Hareb Al Suwaidi, Member of the Federal National Council; Ms. Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3); Ms. Hongxiang Qi, screenwriter, author, and film and television producer; and Eng. Maitha Alblooshi, an advocate for the empowerment of Emirati women; Mayssa Maghrebi, Emirati-Moroccan actress; and Mansour Al Feeli, Emirati actor. Together with prominent creatives, industry leaders, and cultural figures, their presence reflected BAAB’s strong resonance across cinema, culture, and leadership in the UAE.

Directed by the first female Emirati filmmaker and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture’s National Grant for Culture and Creativity, BAAB marks a clear step forward for Emirati storytelling, grounded in place and emotional perspective, while engaging audiences beyond the region.

“With BAAB, I found myself listening more than speaking, to story, to memory, and to the quiet strength of Arab cinema. The journey has been humbling and deeply personal, and the response across borders has been incredibly moving. Yet this is not an arrival. It’s the beginning. Arab cinema is evolving with honesty and courage, and this is only the first chapter of a much longer road.” says Director Nayla Al Khaja.

Set against the remote mountain landscapes of Ras Al Khaimah, BAAB follows a woman navigating the loss of her twin sister. Haunted by persistent tinnitus, she drifts between memory and imagination as grief fractures her sense of reality. Blurring the boundaries between life and death, the film transforms silence into emotional language and the desert into an interior landscape of the mind.

The film brings together an exceptional international creative team including A. R. Rahman, who composed his first-ever score for an Arabic-language film, alongside acclaimed cinematographer Rogier Stoffers, ASC, NSC (School of Rock, Mongol), and a screenplay by prominent Emirati filmmaker, journalist, and cultural figure Masoud Amralla. BAAB is produced by Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Nayla Al Khaja, and Jude S. Walko, with Dark Dunes Productions leading the project, a landmark collaboration between Emirati storytellers and globally recognised talent.

“Producing BAAB through Dark Dunes Productions marks a very proud moment in our years of supporting filmmakers. Nayla’s journey of redefining Emirati films, breaking boundaries, and inspiring the next generation of cinema creators is exactly the kind of work we are honored to support.” - stated Executive Producer Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki

BAAB is a celebration of Emirati storytelling and a true milestone for local talent. The film brought together more than 140 artists and technicians, including over 20 Emiratis in pivotal creative and technical roles. Filmed entirely in the UAE, the production highlights the depth of talent, the creative capability and autonomy in contemporary cinema.

With its theatrical release now underway across the GCC and Egypt region from 8 January 2026, followed by Türkiye and additional international markets, BAAB stands at the forefront of a new chapter for Emirati storytelling; one defined by confidence, reach and global ambition.