Horizon International School Student Lilya Hasbini Wins Emerging Talent in Film Production Award
Horizon International School is celebrating the achievement of Year 12 student Lilya Hasbini, who has been honoured with the Emerging Talent in Film Production Award at the UAE Next Mastermind Awards 2026. The ceremony took place at Anantara Downtown Dubai on 27 June.
At 17 years old, Lilya was recognised for her emerging talent in film production, visual storytelling, and creative media, standing out among a field of entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and industry leaders.
Currently studying AS Levels in Media Studies, English Literature, and Geography, Lilya was independently selected by the awards panel following a competitive evaluation of her creative portfolio. Judges highlighted her original psychological thriller title sequence, Silent Halls, along with her growing body of work in film production and media.
Created as part of her Media Studies coursework, Silent Halls explores the experiences of a teenage student living with schizophrenia, using cinematic storytelling to blur the boundaries between reality and illusion within a familiar school environment.
Alongside her academic studies, Lilya has gained practical industry experience as a Junior Creative and Production Executive Intern at Kaleido Pictures, where she contributes to production coordination, creative planning, and content development on collaborative film and visual media projects. She is currently involved in several international productions alongside award-winning industry professionals.
Accepting the award, Lilya said the recognition reflects years of dedication to filmmaking and acknowledged the support she received from Horizon International School’s Media department in helping her develop confidence and creative skills.
Beyond filmmaking, Lilya also serves as Deputy Head of Media for the school's Model United Nations (MUN) programme and Head of Wellbeing within the Student Leadership Team. She is also a published co-author of Voices of Tomorrow, a collection showcasing perspectives from young thought leaders on global issues and future change.
Jerdenne Wilson praised Lilya’s growth over the past three years, highlighting her academic excellence, including achieving the highest GCSE Media Studies grade in her cohort and receiving the subject attainment award during the current academic year. She described Silent Halls as a reflection of Lilya’s creativity, technical ability, and dedication to filmmaking.
Looking ahead, Lilya plans to pursue film and media studies at university, with aspirations to study at New York University Abu Dhabi and build a career in film directing, production, and the wider creative industries.
Her achievement reflects Horizon International School’s continued emphasis on nurturing student creativity, leadership, and professional development, while encouraging young people to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.
The UAE Next Mastermind Awards, established more than 14 years ago, recognise achievements across entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, business, media, sport, and social impact. The 2026 edition was held in partnership with Gulf News and The Art of Living Foundation.
