The Desert Beyond, a new feature film inspired by the UAE’s impressive space exploration journey, is gearing up for production. This female-led drama tells the fictional tale of the Arab world’s first female astronaut, highlighting the nation’s groundbreaking space endeavors and its commitment to empowering women in science and innovation.
Directed by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker David Darg (Body Team Twelve, You Cannot Kill David Arquette, Maskoon), the 90-minute drama will be shot in Dubai and throughout the UAE, with support from the Dubai Films and Games Commission.
The Desert Beyond blends emotional drama with an inspiring space narrative, following Maryam, a young Emirati engineer vying for the country’s first female astronaut mission. As she navigates a grueling selection process, Maryam faces national expectations, personal doubts, and her family’s legacy, ultimately realizing that her strength to progress may be rooted in past wisdom.
Executive producer Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak (Seize the Summit), founder of Naiy Production House, is at the helm. The film is produced by Carla DiBello (Electric Kingdom, Maskoon), founder of Arabia Plus, a UAE-based company dedicated to telling regional stories for an international audience, with a track record of producing documentaries and narrative shorts across the Middle East.
Joining DiBello is award-winning producer Stephen Strachan (Scales, How I Got There) from Globa 3.
Nehal Badri, Secretary-General of the Dubai Media Council, stated, “The Dubai Films and Games Commission’s backing of this project underscores our mission to elevate Dubai as a global media innovation hub. It aligns with our goals to foster international collaboration, develop industry talent, and highlight Dubai’s capabilities as a world-class media and film production ecosystem. Our support also emphasizes our commitment to advancing women’s roles as progress leaders in all areas of life.
“We are dedicated to enabling the film and media sectors to share stories of the UAE’s pioneering spirit, inspiring future generations to create a brighter future.”
Executive Producer Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak remarked, “The Desert Beyond draws inspiration from the UAE’s extraordinary space program and the bravery of pioneers like Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati female astronaut. This film celebrates transformation on personal, national, and generational levels, honoring our heritage as we boldly step into the future.”
Producer Carla DiBello added, “This is a unique story that hasn’t been told on screen before. We’re bringing a female-driven narrative from the Arab world to a global audience, showcasing women breaking barriers and defining leadership and growth in today’s Middle East.”
Since the UAE Space Agency’s inception in 2014, the nation has launched the Emirates Mars Mission, sent astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazza Al Mansoori to the International Space Station, and celebrated Nora Al Matrooshi as the Arab world’s first female astronaut, a milestone echoed throughout the film.
The Desert Beyond will soon begin casting. Capstone Pictures is managing global sales, while Front Row Filmed Entertainment will handle distribution across the Middle East and North Africa.
A theatrical release is planned, with international streaming distribution to follow.
