Everything to know about 'Mountain Boy', the homegrown Emirati film, releasing this week in UAE cinemas and the red carpet premiere tonight

Dubai is rolling out the red carpet tonight on April 16, for the star-studded premiere of Mountain Boy, a landmark Emirati feature film set to release in UAE cinemas this Thursday.

Among the high-profile guests expected at the event—including the film’s cast and crew—is a legendary global action star, adding a touch of international glamour to this proudly homegrown production.

Directed by acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Zainab Shaheen and produced by Desert Rose Films, Mountain Boy is a cinematic adaptation of The Boy Who Knew The Mountains, the internationally acclaimed children’s book by Emirati-Australian author Michele Ziolkowski.

The story follows Suhail, a young boy with a remarkable memory and an uncanny connection to nature—qualities that set him apart from his tribe, who struggle to understand him.

The film explores themes of autism, inclusivity, climate change, and the preservation of Arabian heritage, while showcasing the unspoilt natural beauty of the UAE’s mountainous terrain.

Inspired by the real-life experiences of Ziolkowski’s son, who is on the autism spectrum, and her mother-in-law’s recollections of life in a small mountain village in Fujairah, the story is both deeply personal and culturally rooted.

Directed by Shaheen—best known for Journey of Hope and Dates to Mars—Mountain Boy is brought to life by a multicultural crew and a cast of authentically Emirati actors, many of whom hail from Fujairah and surrounding regions.

The production shines a spotlight on the UAE’s storytelling potential, offering a platform for local voices to reach international audiences.

Shot earlier this year, the film distributed by The Plot Pictures is now complete and ready for its big-screen debut.

This cinematic achievement stands on the shoulders of Emirati filmmakers who have broken ground before. Ali Mostafa’s City of Life (2009) is often credited as the UAE’s first feature film and helped set the stage for an industry that was still in its infancy.

Other filmmakers like Nayla Al Khaaja (Animal, The Shadow) have steadily expanded the storytelling landscape, paving the way for films like Mountain Boy to emerge with greater scale, emotional depth, and cultural authenticity.