The 90-minute film will be directed by filmmaker David Darg and shot in Dubai as well as other locations across the UAE.
A new Emirati-produced feature film, The Desert Beyond, is preparing to begin production, bringing the UAE’s landmark achievements in space exploration to the big screen. The drama, which tells a fictional story inspired by the Arab world’s first female astronaut, highlights the nation’s commitment to scientific progress and the empowerment of women in innovation and STEM fields. Nora Al Matrooshi, the UAE’s first female astronaut, stands as a milestone figure whose achievement resonates throughout the film.
Directed by filmmaker David Darg, the 90-minute film will be shot in Dubai and across the UAE, with support from the Dubai Films and Games Commission. Combining emotive storytelling with an aspirational space narrative, the film follows Maryam, a young Emirati engineer vying to become the country’s first female astronaut. As she undergoes an intense selection process, Maryam confronts societal expectations, personal doubts and the weight of her family’s legacy, ultimately discovering that her journey forward is rooted in lessons from the past.
The film’s executive producer is Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak, founder of Naiy Production House, a UAE-based studio focused on social impact storytelling. It is produced by Carla DiBello of Arabia Plus, known for developing regional stories for global audiences, alongside producer Stephen Strachan under his company Globa 3.
Her Excellency Nehal Badri, Secretary General of the Dubai Media Council, said: “The Dubai Films and Games Commission’s support for the project reflects our mission to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for media innovation. It also aligns with our efforts to foster international collaboration, nurture industry talent, and showcase Dubai’s growing capabilities as a world-class ecosystem for media and film production. Our support also reaffirms our dedication to advancing women’s role as drivers of progress, not only within the media industry, but across all spheres of life. We are equally committed to enabling the film industry and the broader media sector to share stories about the UAE’s pioneering spirit that continue to inspire new generations to shape a brighter future.”
Executive producer Rasha Khalifa Al Mubarak added: “The Desert Beyond was inspired by the extraordinary efforts of the UAE’s space programme and the courage of figures like Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Emirati female astronaut. This film celebrates transformation—personal, national, and generational. It’s about honouring our heritage as we take bold steps toward the future.”
Producer Carla DiBello stated: “A story like this has never been told on screen. We’re bringing a female-driven story from the Arab world to a global audience—one that shows women not only breaking barriers, but defining what leadership and growth look like in the Middle East today.”
Since the establishment of the UAE Space Agency 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 moment that echoes throughout the film.
The Desert Beyond is set to begin casting shortly. Capstone Pictures is handling worldwide sales, while Front Row Filmed Entertainment will oversee distribution across the Middle East and North Africa.
A theatrical release is planned, followed by international streaming distribution.
