سينيناتس من سينيوليو 2026 في أبوظبي

About Cineolio’s Cinenights 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Cineolio’s Cinenights comes back to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 20 October 2026, filling The Blue Hall at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi with short films from around the world. It is an evening built around stories, cultural exchange and good conversation, and it suits anyone who enjoys sitting in a dark room and being surprised by what comes up on the screen.

The night is presented by Cineolio, a platform founded by Nawaf Al Janahi in 2020. Its aim is simple: to champion short films and connect them with wider audiences through screenings at venues and events around the world. Cinenights is one of the ways it does that, pairing a carefully chosen line-up of international shorts with a relaxed discussion afterwards.

If you have only ever watched short films on a phone, this is a lovely chance to see them as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen and with a room full of people reacting alongside you.

What to Expect

The programme brings together five short films from different corners of the globe, mixing documentary and narrative work. Together they add up to roughly seventy minutes of cinema, so the pace feels easy and there is plenty of variety across the evening.

The Short Film Programme

• Aspis (Italy, 2025, 15 minutes), a documentary directed by Antonio Romagnoli.
• Long Trip (Belgium and Iraq, 2023, 11 minutes), a narrative short directed by Ali Kadhum.
• Moderator (USA, 2024, 15 minutes), a narrative short directed by Eli Staub.
• Puquio (Peru, 2024, 14 minutes), a narrative short directed by Samantha Avila.
• Tsutsue (France and Ghana, 2022, 16 minutes), a narrative short directed by Amartei Armar.

That spread of countries is part of the appeal. In one sitting you move between Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and West Africa, each film offering its own voice and way of telling a story.

Open Audience Discussion

The evening does not end when the credits roll on the final film. Nawaf Al Janahi moderates an open audience discussion, giving everyone a chance to reflect on what they have just watched, share their reactions and hear how others saw the same films. It is informal and welcoming, so do join in if something has stayed with you, or simply sit back and listen.

Key Highlights

• Five international short films shown on the big screen in The Blue Hall.
• Work from Italy, Belgium and Iraq, the USA, Peru, and France and Ghana.
• A mix of documentary and narrative storytelling.
• An open discussion after the screenings, moderated by Cineolio founder Nawaf Al Janahi.
• A one-night evening at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island.

The Venue: The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

The screening takes place in The Blue Hall, part of The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi. You will find it in the A6 Arts and Humanities Building on the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, off Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Highway in the Saadiyat Marina District of Al Saadiyat Island.

As it sits within a university campus, there are a few entry steps worth knowing about before you go. A valid ticket must be shown on entry to the campus, and visitors come in through the East or West Parking or through the Welcome Center.

Visitor Tips

Getting There

The campus is easy to reach by car, and there is a designated parking area for visitors when you arrive. Head for the East or West Parking, or make your way to the Welcome Center, and follow the signs to the Arts and Humanities Building. Saadiyat traffic can build up in the evening, so give yourself a little extra time on the road.

What to Bring

Have your ticket ready on your phone or printed, as you will need it to get onto campus. A light layer is a good idea for an indoor screening, and you might like to jot down a thought or two between films so you have something to bring to the discussion.

Accessibility

If you need accessible seating or a wheelchair booking, contact the NYU Abu Dhabi box office by email at nyuad.boxoffice@nyu.edu ahead of the night so arrangements can be made.

Entry Guidelines

According to the event listing, a Green Al Hosn status is no longer required for public events in Abu Dhabi, and face masks are no longer required in most indoor public places, including campus buildings. Guidelines can change, so check your ticket confirmation for the latest entry information.

Arrive Early

Doors open ahead of the first film, so arriving early gives you time to park, walk across campus, find The Blue Hall and settle into a good seat without any rush.

Book Your Tickets

Cineolio’s Cinenights is a single evening in Abu Dhabi on 20 October 2026, and screenings like this tend to draw a keen, curious crowd. If an evening of international short films followed by a proper conversation sounds like your kind of night, book your tickets through Platinumlist now and bring a friend who loves film as much as you do.