CASE STUDIES
BENEATH A SEA OF LIGHTS
A bold first feature
starring an Oscar-Nominee
Set and shot entirely in Dubai, Beneath a Sea of Lights marked akela's debut in feature filmmaking. Starring Oscar-nominee Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips), the film follows a Somali billboard repairman who tries to to experience the products on his billoards, as a local con artist takes him under his wing.
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From script development to direction, production (in partnership with Dejavu), post-production, and delivery, akela was involved in every stage of the process, proving our ability to carry ambitious, long-form storytelling from concept to screen. Premiering on Showtime, the film established akela not just as a commercial production house, but as a filmmaker-driven outfit capable of bringing bold, original narrative stories to life.
Screenplay | Direction | Production | Post-Production
LUNESTIL
Rewriting the brief,
unlocking potential
London-based agency WeRPartners initially approached akela with a simple execution brief for Lunestil, a European sleep supplement targeting women. But we saw an opportunity to go far further.
Penning the line “TOMORROW IS WRITTEN TONIGHT,” akela reshaped the concept into an insight-driven global platform - reframing sleep from a dull necessity to a powerful enabler of tomorrow’s potential.
And the impact extended far beyond the brand film: "Tomorrow Is Written Tonight" became Lunestil’s tagline across print, outdoor, and point-of-sale, establishing a cohesive brand voice rooted in optimism and empowerment.
Concept | Direction | Production | Post-Production
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
Stories that endure
across generations
When Land Rover announced the end of Defender production after 67 years, they turned to akela to capture its legacy across the Far East.
akela conceptualized and wrote three films in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia - each telling a story of the Defender’s impact through the people who lived with it, worked with it, and championed it.
Partnering with local crews in each country, we created a series that celebrated the Defender not just as a vehicle, but as a symbol of resilience and connection.
The films were showcased globally across Land Rover’s platforms, partners and offices, cementing the Defender’s status as a living legacy carried by its people.
Development | Direction | Production | Post-Production
SOLEDXB
Where a movement
found its voice
In 2012, SoleDXB was an emerging street culture festival in search of identity. Working directly with the festival's founders, akela conceptualized, developed and product developed their first major film: Hidden Soles. This raw run-and-gun project distilled the raw energy of the urban movement into a powerful cinematic voice.
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The film instantly struck home. It made the cover of Campaign Magazine, driving an incredible turnout at the event and positioning SoleDXB as a cultural force in the region.
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It was a breakthrough moment - not just for SoleDXB, which gained a foothold in the region, but for akela, who quickly formed a reputation for sharp, emotive work that connected far beyond its target audience.
Concept | Directing | Production | Post-Production