Short+Sweet Dubai 2025
Curtains come down on another festival and here are the final results from Short+Sweet 2025!
•  Best Poster: A Good Person
•  Spirit of the Festival: Sahar Ali 
•  Sakshi Verkot New Talent Award: Livia Tehini (Le Chat), Niharika Sainath (Bad Auditions By Actors) & Trixie Balangao (Porkchop Politics)
•  Best Script: Gaby Milky (Corporate ManifesTWO)
•  Best Theatre Company: Blinktonasia
•  Best Regional Play: Cube
•  Best Director: Shireen Al Shoufi (8PM Truce)
•  Best Actress Runner Up: Lua Pons (Bread)
•  Best Actress: Francesca Bizzarri (2 Silent)
•  Best Actor Runner Up: Rami Ahmed (The Craft)
•  Best Actor: Charbel Dahdouh (Corporate ManifesTWO) & Zain Zouheir (Cube)
•  Best Play People's Choice Runner Up: Corporate ManifesTWO
•  Best Play People's Choice: 2 Silent
•  Best Play Runner Up: 2 Silent
•  Best Play: Cube
A huge thank you to everyone who participated, watched and cheered us on! See you in 2026!
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Week 1
- 1. CINDY & JULIE 
 - Cindy and Julie meet in a waiting room and discuss the trials and tribulations of their “happily ever after”. 
 - Writer: Bruce Kane 
 - ITC: ITACA 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Stefania Maglietti (Cindy), Alice Antoniotti (Julie), Cristiana Maierna (Woman) & Clementiana Materazzo (Young Girl) 
 
 - 2. THE TIME TRAVELLERS 
 - A group of friends discover the future could be as unsettling as the past. 
 - Writer: Coco Diamond 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Coco Diamond (Narrator), Asia Sofia Favretto (Emma), Aya Abultaif (Roya), Rosa Beinhoff (Delilah), Halo Diamond (Tomi), Bee D’Arcy (Trex / Alex), Mira Naz Bingol (Trex / Alex), Lucy McBurnie (Trex / Alex), Anoushka Pinto (Alex), Benjamin Bahmani (Alex / Bart), Leopold Beinhoff (Alex / Kurt), Damir Salikhov (Russian Boy) & Zara Dayekh (Chinese Girl) 
 
 - 3. THE LOTTERY TAB 
 - In a grimy bar, down-on-their-luck friends find a winning lottery ticket—sparking joy, greed, and betrayal, as a cynical bartender observes their unraveling in this biting black comedy. 
 - Writer: Raneem Riman 
 - ITC: The Junction Academy 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Widad (Lea), Sasha (Mia), Vladimir (Zane), Salma (Riley), Prerna (Jordan), Deepika (Sasha) & Mikhail (Eddie) 
 
 - 4. MOVIE NIGHT 
 - Based on audience suggestion the troupe will improvise a short play framed and structured as a TV show pilot to help Dan achieve his dream! 
 - Writer: Ahmed Yousif 
 - ITC: Improv.ae 
 - Director: Victoria 
 - Cast: Ahmed, Victoria, Arman, Marina, Moe, Reem, Nikhil, Magdalina & Hasher 
 
 - 5. THE AUDIENCE 
 Uncover the pre-show musings of five audience members as they attend a seemingly ordinary play. Little do they know, an unexpected twist awaits when one unseen actor decides to bare it all, sparking a frenzy among the audience.
 - Writer: Bruce Kane 
 - ITC: The American School of Dubai 
 - Director: Melissa Dertian, Nicole Bryant, and Liz Strootman 
 - Cast: Chloe Shammas (Audience), Daud Khan (Ted), Davis McMillan (Audience), Emitis Laghaee (Fran), Maya Cuddy (Liz), Tayma Saqfelhait (Helen) & William White (Dan) 
 
 - 6. THE CIRCLE 
 - A group comes together for a therapy session, each carrying their own struggles. But as the session unfolds, the lines between who needs help and who’s giving it start to blur in unexpected ways. 
 - Writer: Yahya Abouzeid 
 - ITC: Prologue Productions 
 - Director: Yahya Abouzeid 
 - Cast: Yahya Abouzeid, Mohamed Bassiouny, Khaled Hafez, Samaa Eltawil, Nada Hatem, Sandy Hany & Amr Shuman 
 
 - 7. TEA FOR TERROR 
 - Welcome to TTA - TeaTotallers Anonymous, a support group for recovering tea addicts. Today, a new member, Rebecca, joins the group. Will she be able to survive her first tea-free day? 
 - Writer: Robert Luxford 
 - Director: Kehkashan Anand 
 - Cast: Anna-Maryam Faisal (Samantha), Brittany Wood (Rebecca), Glenn Atkinson (Tim), Livia Tavares Rodrigues (Kendra), Gabriela Ioana (Detective McQueen) & Keenan McFadzean (Uniformed Cop) 
 
 - 8. HULA HOPE 
 - Through hula hoops and heartache, a young woman spins between love, loss, and the vastness of the universe. 
 - Writer: Gaby Milky 
 ITC: Blinktonasia
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Sali the Faerie 
 
 - 9. CUBS WIN 
 Following the unexpected death of their beloved dentist, a die-hard Cubs fan, three gossipy friends gather to mourn and speculate. But as they delve into his life and their own, a chilling realization dawns: each woman harbors a secret that could make them the next subject of town gossip.
 - Writer: Marisa Smith 
 - ITC: The American School of Dubai 
 - Director: Melissa Dertian, Nicole Bryant, and Liz Strootman 
 - Cast: Anandita Nevrekar (Aly), Suria Cramer (Becca), Tiantian Zhou (Coleen) & Zara Bhargava (Vicki) 
 
 - 10. COUPLING* 
 - A morning-after misunderstanding sparks a hilarious debate on intimacy, love, and modern relationships. As Carli and Dylan challenge each other’s beliefs, humor and vulnerability blur the lines—just a fling or something real? 
 - Writer: Alan Brooks 
 - Director: Priya Pinto 
 - Cast: Harry Apostoleris (Dylan) & Jana Sabbagh (Carli) 
 
 - 11. THE ACTOR’S VOW 
 - In The Actors Vow, actors Victor and Maya reunite in a theater after fifteen years. As they reconnect, the stage is set once again for the games they still play. 
 - Writer: Lydia De Souza 
 ITC: Cross Bronx Studio
 - Director: Sahar Ali 
 - Cast: Meghana Dhawan (Maya) & Satya Baskaran (Victor) 
 
 
Week 2
- 1. THE LOOM OF FATE 
 - Arachne challenges Athena to a weaving contest, but this time around she is not turned into a spider! 
 Writer: Ensemble
 - ITC: GEMS New Millennium School 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Saina Deep Richard (Arachne), Aiesha Aswaney (Thalia), Raj Jain (Doros), Zoha Mohammad (Eleni), Keith Dmello and Vihaan Chethan (Narrator), Karthika Kamalahasan (Athena), Faraaz Hameed (Zeus), Hansel D’silva (Apollo), Eashaan Roopesh (Poseidon), Samreen Sujith (Demeter) & Vivaan Shah (Leon) 
 
 - 2. THE RENTAL 
 - A witty romantic comedy about Sonya, who wakes up to a surprise “boyfriend for a day.” Humor, romance, and self-discovery unfold in this charming theatrical experience. 
 - Writer: Mark Harvey Levin 
 - ITC: Mammals Theatre 
 - Director: Mohamed Kasban 
 - Cast: Ahmed Morsy (Harold) & Sara Selim (Sonya) 
 
 - 3. HALF-TIME 
 - It’s half-time in a little league football game, and things are not looking good for the home team 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Ali Haydar Aytac (Jinson), Gemish Bhagchadani (Coach Dequavais), Emmy Dora Braun (Palesta), Zaki Dayekh (Griddy), Erin Naz Egeli (Simone), Fyodor Favretto (James), Yanvi Ragesh Jethwani (Coach Vinny), Daniel Krikunov (Minion), Isla Sareens (Leah), Sheona Sareens (Mia) & Maxim Zyryanov (Bob) 
 
 - 4. OFF SCRIPT 
 - A light-hearted play about two actors attempting to resolve their creative differences…10 minutes before they're due onstage! 
 - Writer: Gillian Rhodes 
 - Director: Gillian Rhodes 
 - Cast: Gillian Rhodes (Ginny) Manasi Goyal (Maddy) 
 
 - 5. SILENT TIES 
 Silent Ties explores family secrets and unexpected connections, as a visit between two friends uncovers a revelation that changes everything.
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: DIS Theatre Company 
 - Director: Chelsie Hemmings 
 - Cast: Joulina Hemsi (Sara Jones), Zuhair Noorani (Scott Kelly), Yasmin Al Ahmadi(Kate Kelly), Amaan Rizvi (Samuel Kelly), Savannah Michle (Young Kate (Katie)), Mohsin Kanji (Young Samuel Kelly), Ayla Al Idrissi (Social Worker), Katja D’Souza (Doctor), Martha Bourn (Olivia) & Anya Prouse (Jen) 
 
 - 6. THE CRAFT 
 - A sharp comedy about two actors stuck in a play-within-a-play, whose inner monologues expose their frustration, turning a dramatic love scene into theatrical chaos. 
 - Writer: Andrew Biss 
 - ITC: Dubai Drama Group 
 - Director: John Thekanady 
 - Cast: Rami Ahmed (Actor 1) & Solène Anglaret (Actor 2) 
 
 - 7. THE BAG OF DREAMS 
 - Six beggars discover a mysterious bag in a park, sparking dreams of escape—only to confront harsh truths, broken illusions, and the unyielding cycle of hope and despair. 
 - Writer: Raneem Riman 
 - ITC: The Junction Academy 
 - Director: Raneem Riman 
 - Cast: Peter (Salim), Rajiv (Farid), Ayira (Laila), Jankeh (Zed), Sudhir Syal (Omar) & Karthik (Hassan) 
 
 - 8. HAPPILY NEVER AFTER 
 - Announcing to kids that parents are getting a divorce is an important family moment but navigating this with an immature dad, a sarcastic teen and an unconcerned kid is a hell of a story… 
 - Writer: Pierre Maindivide 
 ITC: OhLaLa Theatre
 - Director: Pierre Maindivide 
 - Cast: Manon Maindivide (Mia), Victoria Maindivide (June), Pierre Maindivide (Chris) & Wendy Xu (Natalie) 
 
 - 9. OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL: BOOMER LOGIC GEN-Z VIBES! 
 When a protective father learns his daughter is dating a rapper, a hilarious clash of egos ensues, igniting Gen Z v/s Millennial conflicts and chaos, thanks to his cringe-worthy past and a meddling Boomer grandmother.
 - Writer: Nihal M Sayed 
 - Director: Nihal M Sayed 
 - Cast: Sonni Chhabra (Grandmother/Daadi), Shilpa Sen (Pooja), Nishkka Paul (Ritu/Ritz), Mohamed Anas (DJ SMG) & Nihal M. Sayed (Vicky/Vikas) 
 
 - 10. DEAREST CORY 
 - Chaos and war surround Cory, who clings to the letters of his great love… but in a world falling apart, is that enough? 
 - Writer: Raya Srikumar 
 - ITC: Cross Bronx Studio 
 - Director: Raya Srikumar 
 - Cast: Alex Kizya (Cory) Romina Satvatmanesh (Topanga) & Sid Abbas (Shawn) 
 
 - 11. A GOOD IDEA? 
 - A writer who has just finished his big idea and couldn't be happier meets his friends along the way. Nothing could go wrong, right? 
 - Writer: Amit Dhawan 
 ITC: TheONE Entertainment
 - Director: Amit Dhawan 
 - Cast: Sandeep David (Writer), Kanishka Bhatia (Ashley), Jashan Achapaliya (Alex), Samarth Jaswani (Jock), Umair Syed (Daniel) & Varun Bhatia (Anonymous) 
 
 - 12. CORPORATE MANIFESTWO 
 - For Applicant 51AV3, a job rejection feels like a trial. 
 - Writer: Gaby Milky 
 ITC: Blinktonasia
 - Director: Gaby Milky 
 - Cast: Charbel Dahdouh (The Prosecutor), Nicholas Toubia (Applicant 51AV3), Razane Siblini (The Hiring Manager), Pascale Daher (The Judge) & Gaby Milky (The Bailiff) 
 
Week 3
- 1. ECHO CHAMBER (MARATHI) 
 - The Joshi family is trapped—not by walls, but by algorithms. As social media dictates their lives, they struggle to disconnect, questioning what's real in a world ruled by curated truths. 
 - Writer: Snehal Deshpande 
 - ITC: Dhadakebaaz 
 - Director: Vaibhav Pingale 
 - Cast: Mrudula Ranade (Mrs. Joshi), Pradeep Daval (Mr. Joshi), Sayali Surve (Veda), Vaibhav Pingale (Tapan), Saurabh Ghadigaonkar (WhatsApp), Dr. Nitin Upadhye (Facebook), Aum Irwadkar (Instagram) & Abhijeet Ranade (AI Algorithm) 
 
 - 2. THE CUBE – المكعب (ARABIC) 
 - Two men find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere, haunted by the questions of when, where, and how. Torn between their will to live and their ability to survive, they must confront the unknown 
 - Writer: Issa Daadaa 
 - Director: Mahmoud Basioni 
 - Cast: Tilad Al Kelani (Charachter 1), Zain Zouheir (Charachter 2), Kenana Shikh Othman (Soul 1) & Mohamad Jamal Tourkmani (Soul 2) 
 
 - 3. BEGUM JAAN (HINDI) 
 - Story of a vivid, colourful woman whose glorious memories are preserved in the form of letters written to her by Maulana Azad and fiercely guarded by her. 
 - Writer: Javed Siddiqi 
 - ITC: Theatrewalas 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Mandeep Walia (Zarina), Sunil Jasuja (Sanjay) and Surabhi Bhardwaj (Begum Jaan) 
 
 - 4. Azrael's Deputy - نائب عزرائیل (ARABIC) 
 - He was lost in nowhere and must complete a task as Azrael’s Deputy to get back to his normal 
 - Writer: Mohamed El Shewy 
 - ITC: Arabestic 
 - Director: Mohamed El Shewy 
 - Cast: Mina Sedky (Asaad), Mohamed El Shiwy (Azrael), Esraa Ali (Hanan), Mostafa Negm (Man in Street), Ahmed Negm (Uncle Saber) & Kaselia El Faham (Fatima) 
 
 - 5. PORKCHOP POLITICS (TAGALOG) 
 Full of sarcasm and mockery, three women of City Buwis-Buhay make a ridiculous joke of voting a pig for the upcoming mayoral election.
 - Writer: Rissy McGrath 
 - Director: Rissy McGrath 
 - Cast: Jennifer Castro (Nina), Jeremie Fortes (Amy), Trixie Balangao (Bella) & Jency Aves (Politician / TV Announcer) 
 
 - 6. KHANDAR (PUNJABI) 
 - A street performer and his ailing wife grapple with love, illness and grief - like Adam and Eve, left to suffer on Earth. 
 - Writer: Shah Fahad 
 - ITC: Drama Ed Pakistan 
 - Director: Shah Fahad 
 - Cast: Nabeel Bin Shahid (Asif), Maryam Ahmad (Maryam) & Daniyal Nasir (The Narrator) 
 
 - 7. THE ESCAPEES - الهاربون مؤقتا (ARABIC) 
 - A child's story characters come to life, and he must control them before chaos erupts. 
 - Writer: Tariq Abouzeid 
 - ITC: Prologue Productions 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Yahya Abouzeid, Mohamed Bassiouny, Selim Bassiouny, Khaled Hafez, Samaa Eltawil, Nada Hatem, Sandy Hany & Amr Shuman 
 
 - 8. COMEDY OF HORRORS (MARATHI) 
 - Three victims of online fraud meet atop a cliff, plotting revenge. But unexpected twists turn horror into hilarity in this situational comedy full of chaos, laughter, and unexpected life lessons. 
 - Writer: Snehal Deshpande 
 - ITC: Dhadakebaaz 
 - Director: Snehal Deshpande 
 - Cast: Gopal Gumaste (Mr.Bawle), Snehal Deshpande (Fraudster), Nemika Joshi (Distressed Girl), Rohan Sawant (Police) & Om Vadkhalkar (Gamer Boy) 
 
 - 9. RE-AGAIN (ARABIC) 
 - Take a leap of faith. Try, do, show up, move... 
 - Writer: Peter Ragai 
 - ITC: Prologue Productions 
 - Director: Peter Ragai 
 - Cast: Peter Ragai, Rachel Cahil & Mariam Maali 
 
 - 10. CHIPAK CHIPAK KE (HINDI) 
 - A happy couple, an excited family and a tree? This love story is deeply rooted in Indian traditions (Pun intended). 
 - Writer: Amit Dhawan 
 - ITC: TheONE Entertainment 
 - Director: Urvashi Jaswani 
 - Cast: Amit Dhawan (Aadarsh), Urvashi Jaswani (Bua Lipa), Prachi Thakwani (Rupa), Nashmia Nadeem (Khushi), Varun Bhatia (Pandit G), Sandeep (Vinod) & Jenith (Rajesh) 
 
 - 11. 2 SILENT (ITALIAN) 
 - Writer: Michela Contini & Franchesca Bizzari 
 ITC: Scalambra
 - Director: Michela Contini 
 - Cast: Michela Contini & Franchesca Bizzari 
 
Week 4
- 1. ACT GPT PLUS 
 - In a near-future where AI actors dominate, a director must choose between a by-the-book Actoid or an imaginative human to portray a deeply personal story from her past. 
 - Writer: Mohammed Shahid 
 - Director: Mohammed Shahid 
 - Cast: Peachie Dioquino Valera (Director), Nazia Yusuf Shahapur (Producer), Mohammed Shahid (Aimen) & Mohammed Anas (Actoid) 
 
 - 2. HOME IS… 
 - A group of kids, lost in their own worlds, imagine dream homes with a magical device. But their fantasies clash, and they realize none of these places truly feel like home. 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: The Junction Academy 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Meher Sawhney (Sarah), Nathan Anish (Sam), Shanaya Singh (Lily), Ishan Apte (Max), Avanthika Vinod (Emma), Vikhyat Gaurav (Jack), Yuti Shah (Christa) & Rudra Shah (Dylan) 
 
 - 3. THE CUP OF TEA 
 - In a quiet nursing home room, an old man waits for family and dreams of home with his nurse. A moving reflection on memory, aging, and the small gestures that carry deep meaning. 
 - Writer: Nicola Spadoni 
 - ITC: Faux Pas Scenario 
 - Director: Solena Banks & Nicola Spadoni 
 - Cast: Nicola Spadoni (Nicola) Solena Banks (Nurse) Karina Calzadilla (Music) 
 
 - 4. BADAWI 
 - He must decide whether to keep his beloved Badawi or let him go for a fair deal. 
 - Writer: Hossam Abdelaziz 
 - ITC: Arabestic 
 - Director: Hossam Abdelaziz 
 - Cast: Mohamed El Sawi (The Stranger) & Ahmed Hossam (Salem) 
 
 - 5. BAD AUDITIONS BY BAD ACTORS 
 - An audition for Romeo & Juliet in a small-town community theatre goes completely out of hand as a plethora of "actors" decide to audition for the lead roles! 
 - Writer: Ian McWethy 
 - ITC: The Junction Academy 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Niharika Sainath (Casting Director), Yudishran Wijenathan (Roger), Shrishti Gulati (Melissa), Aney Shah (Coach), Jivaj Adnani: (Joe), Aditya Singhania: (Mario), Reyansh Balchandani (Martin), Zhiva (Catherine), Rhythm Periwal (Meg), Advait Saboo (Charlie), Rithvik Richien (Josh), Anthony Potapav (Agent 2), Anika Lilani (Agent 1) & Gia Kapoor (Josie) 
 
 - 6. 2 SILENT 
 - After the funeral, the will is read in front of the widow but...What? Two women are here sobbing! Who was the truly loved one? Who is the one deserving the inheritance? 
 - Writer: Michela Contini & Franchesca Bizzari 
 - ITC: Scalambra 
 - Director: Michela Contini 
 - Cast: Michela Contini (Widow 1) & Franchesca Bizzari (Widow 2) 
 
 - 7. CHAKRAVYUH - चक्रव्यूह (HINDI) 
 - In a haunting split of time, one man’s past and present collide, revealing buried secrets, fractured memory, and the cost of revenge. 
 - Writer: Shah Fahad 
 - ITC: Scatter Dubai 
 - Director: Daniyal Nasir 
 - Cast: Audrey Vaz (Zakiya), Ahmed Syed (Young Dayaram), Naimin Shukla (Old Dayaram), Marhoom Bilal (Sadiq) & Shilpa (Nirmala) 
 
 - 8. RED SEA 
 - Broderick, a video game designer, reconnects with his ex, Nirvana, in a completely normal conversation. As tensions rise, the reality blurs, forcing him to confront unresolved pain. 
 - Writer: Keenan McFadzean 
 - ITC: H72 Productions 
 - Director: Keenan McFadzean 
 - Cast: Ryan Durand (Broderick) & Ria Samuel (Nirvana) 
 
 - 9. PLANCHET 
 A horror comedy narrating the story of three friends and a Tantrik (An occultist). The Tantrik invites spirits into one’s body and performs planchet with them to meet their relatives.
 - Writer: Devendra Pem 
 - ITC: Theatrewalas 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Dushyant Barot (Baba Bangali), Kunal Jain (Chiman), Akhil Goel (Kuldeep) and Mahesh (Praveen Pujari) 
 
 - 10. THE SERPENT’S TALE 
 - In a haunting monologue, a mysterious woman recalls her transformation from innocence to danger—her beauty became a weapon, her kiss turned fatal, and her memories weave a hypnotic, tragic tale. 
 - Writer: Walter Wykes 
 - Director: Ahmed Al-Fadil 
 - Cast: Miljana Mann (Serpent Process) 
 
 - 11. DELHI BELLY 
 A love story in the city of Delhi you’ve probably seen earlier, but this is the first time it’s being acknowledged…witness craziness, drinks, and a load of euphoria packed into this solo performance!
 - Writer: Rishit Goswami 
 - Director: Rishit Goswami 
 - Cast: Rishit Goswami (Rahul) & DG (Narrator) 
 
 - 12. A GOOD PERSON 
 Do you consider yourself a good person? Who doesn’t? But when small choices lead to chaos, morality blurs. A fast-paced, witty exploration of self-perception, good intentions, and unexpected consequences.
 - Writer: Andrew Brown 
 - Director: Karim Haj Ali 
 - Cast: Keenan McFadzean (Person 1), Basel Yafi (Person 2) & Sadiq Saboowala (Person 3) 
 
Week 5
- 1. LUNA AND THE MOON 
 - Luna loves the moon. But can she learn to love herself? 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Zoya Luthra (Luna), Sofia Armijo Castillo (Maria), Melis Soltay (Emma), Gaia Veroli (Joan), Lara Al Maki (Tinkerbel), Amelie Hosseinzadeh (Thinkerdoodle), Amelia Scott (Milly), Mia Garancini (Palm Oil), Emma Lemon Sultani (Jess), Asia Sofia Favretto (Zoya), Anoushka Pinto, Zara Dayekh, Svaraa Ragesh & Mira Naz Bingol (Singers) 
 
 - 2. THE MASK 
 - In this witty comedy with a surprising twist, business billionaire Lina dreams of being a superhero, helped by brilliant Jenkins and outrageous hologram ‘S7’. But can they take on Rob? 
 - Writer: Doug Mackay 
 - Director: Doug Mackay 
 - Cast: Amar Ajit (Rob), Kehkashan Anand (S7), Sophia Cafoor-Camps (Jenkins), Sarah Potter (Lina) 
 
 - 3. GOLD OR GLITTERS 
 - In a world of dazzling appearances, two elegant neighbors meet, each masked in charm, each hiding truths. Beneath the surface, will they find real gold… or just glitter that fades? 
 - Writer: Ramy Magdy 
 - Director: Ramy Magdy 
 - Cast: Jennifer Schmidt (Jenny), Ezz El-Din Omar (Muhammed) & Mohamed Mamdouh Shika (Peter) 
 
 - 4. STRONGER AS ONE 
 - Swimmy by Leo Lionni inspires this playful journey under the sea, where everyday objects transform into ocean wonders. Together, small fish learn bravery, creativity, and unity to overcome fears. 
 - Writer: Adapted by Michela Contini 
 - ITC: Scalambra 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Oscar Awad De Sousa (Lobster- Aragosta), Livia Bardelle (Jellyfish- Medusa), Mia Nutricato (Guizzino), Riccardo Spadoni (Eric the Smart Fish) & Gaia Veroli (Moray Eel- Murena) 
 
 - 5. DESERT OIL 
 - You have boyfriend who is intuitive, caring, romantic, loves nature, hiking and people. He's about to pop the question. Oh, nothing can't go wrong! Right? 
 - Writer: Erin Danly 
 - Director: Maria Gregoric 
 - Cast: Maria Gregoric (Karen), Ramin Aliyev (Jonathyn), Sameed Asif (Dr Butterworth) & Marwa Ghaddar (Ola) 
 
 - 6. SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW! 
 - A man decides to stop his ex’s wedding. What could go wrong, right? 
 - Writer: Abhinaya Chandramohan 
 - Director: Abhinaya Chandramohan 
 - Cast: Alex Kizya (Dean), Livia Rodrigues (Bride), Abhinaya Chandramohan (Sister), Amoolya Narayan (Pastor), Fares Ahmed (Groom), Maria Salumäe (Bridesmaid #1), Veronika Rodionova (Bridesmaid #2) 
 
 - 7. LE CHAT 
 - A fun and witty encounter between a young dreamer and a mysterious friend who foresees her future. 
 - Writer: Jad Srour 
 - ITC: Complices 
 - Director: Jihane S. Tehini 
 - Cast: Livia Tehini (Livia) & Elyes Oggar (Le Chat) 
 
 - 8. A KISSASTER NIGHT 
 - We all remember our 1 st kiss. Some wish they didn’t! A chaotic night of teenage romance takes a hilarious unexpected turn when some kisses land… on the wrong lips… 
 - Writer: Pierre Maindivide 
 - ITC: A.M.I.C.I Theatre 
 - Director: Manon Maindivide & Thea Womack 
 - Cast: Manon Maindivide (Mia), Thea Womack (Lexie), Aiden Allen (Teddy) & Rhys Bunting (Alfie) 
 
 - 9. PENALTY 
 A footballer stuck between the pressure to secure his future and his desire for inner peace.
 - Writer: Mohamed El Sawi 
 - ITC: Arabestic 
 - Director: Mohamed El Sawi 
 - Cast: Mohamed El Sawi (Football Player) 
 
 - 10. A LIFELONG ACHIEVEMENT 
 - Ageing theatrical diva Arrabella Foster is about to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Kate, her dresser, is committed to ensuring Miss Foster receives the send-off she truly deserves. 
 - Writer: Brian Johnston 
 - ITC: SumSar Theatricals 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Sarah Potter (Miss Foster) & Sumaya Kubeisy (Kate) 
 
 - 11. TICS 
 A daytime TV show follows Shankar Tailor, a comedian with Tourette’s as he navigates the thin line between sympathy & empathy. What begins as a feel-good chat show, unravels into something deeper – Funny, uncomfortable & utterly honest.
 - Writer: Nihal M Sayed 
 - Director: Harshita Kauchhur 
 - Cast: Harshita Kauchhur (Latika Swamy), Ravi Gill (Dr. Simone Gill), Nihal M. Sayed (Shankar Tailor) & Antonios Agiovlasitis (Alexander Dimitriou) 
 
 - 12. HORNSWOGGLED 
 In a dingy tavern, a smooth-talking pirate sets out to con an innocent woman—until a veteran gambler steps in to disrupt his scheme.
 - Writer: Jay Nagjee 
 - ITC: Hunger House in association with Cross Bronx Studio 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Jay Nagjee (Harrison Harewood), Madu Capella (Ann), Satya Baskaran (Isacia) & Ryan Durand (Jonnie) 
 
Week 6
- 1. BREAD 
 - 3 women working in a bakery dream of a life beyond their daily grind 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: James Cuningham 
 - Cast: Esraa Aboushahin, Pascale Daher, Lua Pons 
 
 - 2. MUM’S THE WORD 
 - A caring daughter believes her elderly mum is in for a quiet evening as usual… but tonight might be different! A heartwarming comedy about independence, love and life’s unexpected turns. 
 - Writer: Lynne Haboubi 
 - Director: Lynne Haboubi 
 - Cast: Lynne Haboubi (Mum), Sara Haboubi (Daughter) & John Thekandy (Man) 
 
 - 3. TWISTED!! 
 - Deals, deceit and deadly deadly secrets ...When a billionaire drops dead, everyone's a suspect. In a night of betrayal, love and greed one final twist changes everything. 
 - Writer: Ravi Kumar & Sidd Lobo 
 - Director: Manasi Goyal 
 - Cast: Vivek Seshadri (Raghavan Iyer), Amina Farheen (Miss Kulkarni), Sidd Lobo (Vivian Thomas), Sheena Dogra (Charlotte), Harpinder 'Harry' Singh (Jason Thomas), Bindhu Unny (Eleanor), Sony Philip (Vincent) & Abhishek Goyal (Richard Thomas) 
 
 - 4. A TALKBACK 
 - After the curtain call, a quirky moderator interviews the playwrights to uncover their intentions, but the conversations take an unexpected turn. 
 - Writer: Patrick Greene 
 - Director: Sumaya Kubeisy 
 - Cast: Rasheed Hattab (Moderator), Abdo Alkhaja (Playwright 1), Harry Apostoleris (Playwright 2), Amit Vikram Gosh (Playwright 3), Kehkashan Anand (Participant 1), Brittany Wood (Participant 2) & Jermie Grace Fortes (Stagehand) 
 
 - 5. 8:00 PM TRUCE 
 - If you repeat "a lie" long enough... it becomes history. 
 - Writer: Shireen Al Shoufi 
 - Director: Shireen Al Shoufi 
 - Cast: Basel Yafi (Basilio Yafifi), Obada Ghannam (Farooshi Talata), Ram Ghanem (Zacki Mono), Lilo Lemvar (Mino Toki), Bashar Azzam (Tovigo), Nassim Abu Dan (Eliata), Basel Anid (Givoto) & Shireen Alshoufi (Talita) 
 
 - 6. EAT YOUR FEELINGS! 
 - You are invited to the live taping of Eat Your Feelings! Get an exclusive peek at an upcoming episode where we explore bold, new, and utterly delectable emotions. 
 - Writer: Malavika Suresh 
 - Director: Malavika Suresh 
 - Cast: Malavika Suresh (Molly), Ketki Bhosale (Dolly), Sahar Ali (Samantha), Ria Samuel (Producer) & Talal Mansab (Announcer) 
 
 - 7. THE KEY 
 - Another working day for her, but she cannot find the way out. 
 - Writer: Mohammad El Sawi 
 - ITC: Arabestic 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Nervana Noweir (The Wife) 
 
 - 8. *FORBIDDEN* 
 In a world of Genesis. where Al rewrites history, Adam eats the forbidden fruit first. Before Eve came to life. How does he choose mankind in the making?
 - Writer: Alistair Aranha 
 - ITC: That’s Crazy 
 - Director: Alistair Aranha 
 - Cast: Allinson Aranha (Adam), Lavania Marim Jiju (Eve) & Aman Bhatia (Eve Beta) 
 
 - 9. COMING TO TOWN 
 - A family reunion quickly spins into chaos when old secrets, wild theories, and unexpected confessions collide. Between holiday traditions and conspiracy obsessions, nothing is quite what it seems — and not everyone may survive the truth. 
 - Writer: Keith Whalen 
 - Director: Markella Paparizou 
 - Cast: Ahmed Al-Fadil (Kenny), Michella Contini (Arlene) & Roland Roth (Walter) 
 
 - 10. THE UGLY MAN 
 Lette, a talented engineer, is told his face is too ugly to represent his invention. Seeking support from his wife, he uncovers a far more unsettling betrayal.
 - Writer: Marius Von Mayenburg 
 - ITC: Ice & Spice 
 - Director: Magali Solignat 
 - Cast: Sadiq Saboowala (Latte) & Anne-Laure Morandeau (Fanny) 
 
 - 11. THE THRESHOLD 
 In a dystopian game show broadcast to the regime’s citizens, a woman from an occupied zone must answer for her survival—one checkpoint at a time.
 - Writer: Ahmed Syed 
 - ITC: H72 Productions 
 - Director: Ahmed Syed 
 - Cast: Ashie Menon (Muna Najjar) & Aarti Aney (Yael) 
 
Semi-Finals
- 1. TIME TRAVELLERS 
 - A group of friends discover the future could be as unsettling as the past. 
 - Writer: Coco Diamond 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Coco Diamond (Narrator), Asia Sofia Favretto (Emma), Aya Abultaif (Roya), Rosa Beinhoff (Delilah), Halo Diamond (Tomi), Bee D’Arcy (Trex / Alex), Mira Naz Bingol (Trex / Alex), Lucy McBurnie (Trex / Alex), Anoushka Pinto (Alex), Benjamin Bahmani (Alex / Bart), Leopold Beinhoff (Alex / Kurt), Damir Salikhov (Russian Boy) & Zara Dayekh (Chinese Girl) 
 
 - 2. COMING TO TOWN 
 - A family reunion quickly spins into chaos when old secrets, wild theories, and unexpected confessions collide. Between holiday traditions and conspiracy obsessions, nothing is quite what it seems — and not everyone may survive the truth. 
 - Writer: Keith Whalen 
 - Director: Markella Paparizou 
 - Cast: Ahmed Al-Fadil (Kenny), Michella Contini (Arlene) & Roland Roth (Walter) 
 
 - 3. A GOOD PERSON 
 Do you consider yourself a good person? Who doesn’t? But when small choices lead to chaos, morality blurs. A fast-paced, witty exploration of self-perception, good intentions, and unexpected consequences.
 - Writer: Andrew Brown 
 - Director: Karim Haj Ali 
 - Cast: Keenan McFadzean (Person 1), Basel Yafi (Person 2) & Sadiq Saboowala (Person 3) 
 
 - 4. BAD AUDITIONS BY BAD ACTORS 
 - An audition for Romeo & Juliet in a small-town community theatre goes completely out of hand as a plethora of "actors" decide to audition for the lead roles! 
 - Writer: Ian McWethy 
 - ITC: The Junction Academy 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Niharika Sainath (Casting Director), Yudishran Wijenathan (Roger), Shrishti Gulati (Melissa), Aney Shah (Coach), Jivaj Adnani: (Joe), Aditya Singhania: (Mario), Reyansh Balchandani (Martin), Zhiva (Catherine), Rhythm Periwal (Meg), Advait Saboo (Charlie), Rithvik Richien (Josh), Anthony Potapav (Agent 2), Anika Lilani (Agent 1) & Gia Kapoor (Josie) 
 
 - 5. STRONGER AS ONE 
 - Swimmy by Leo Lionni inspires this playful journey under the sea, where everyday objects transform into ocean wonders. Together, small fish learn bravery, creativity, and unity to overcome fears. 
 - Writer: Adapted by Michela Contini 
 - ITC: Scalambra 
 - Director: Ensemble 
 - Cast: Livia Bardelle (Jellyfish- Medusa), Mia Nutricato (Swimmy- Guizzino), Riccardo Spadoni (Eric the Smart Fish), Lorenzo Spinelli (Lobster- Aragosta) & Gaia Veroli (Moray Eel- Murena) 
 
 - 6. PORKCHOP POLITICS (TAGALOG) 
 Full of sarcasm and mockery, three women of City Buwis-Buhay make a ridiculous joke of voting a pig for the upcoming mayoral election.
 - Writer: Rissy McGrath 
 - Director: Rissy McGrath 
 - Cast: Jennifer Castro (Nina), Jeremie Fortes (Amy), Trixie Balangao (Bella) & Jency Aves (Politician / TV Announcer) 
 
 - 7. BREAD 
 - 3 women working in a bakery dream of a life beyond their daily grind 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: James Cuningham 
 - Cast: Esraa Aboushahin, Pascale Daher, Lua Pons 
 
 - 8. CHIPAK CHIPAK KE (HINDI) 
 - A happy couple, an excited family and a tree? This love story is deeply rooted in Indian traditions (pun intended). 
 - Writer: Amit Dhawan 
 - ITC: TheONE Entertainment 
 - Director: Urvashi Jaswani 
 - Cast: Amit Dhawan (Yuvraaj), Urvashi Jaswani (Bua Lipa), Prachi Thakwani (Rupa), Nashmia Nadeem (Sanjana), Varun Bhatia (Paramveer), Sandeep David (Sorry The Pandit), Jenith Thakkar (Mulchand) & Vedant Mahidhar (Dadaji) 
 
 - 9. A KISSASTER NIGHT 
 - We all remember our 1st kiss. Some wish they didn’t! A chaotic night of teenage romance takes a hilarious unexpected turn when some kisses land… on the wrong lips… 
 - Writer: Pierre Maindivide 
 - ITC: A.M.I.C.I Theatre 
 - Director: Manon Maindivide & Thea Womack 
 - Cast: Manon Maindivide (Mia), Thea Womack (Lexie), Aiden Allen (Teddy) & Rhys Bunting (Alfie) 
 
 - 10. THE CRAFT 
 - A sharp comedy about two actors stuck in a play-within-a-play, whose inner monologues expose their frustration, turning a dramatic love scene into theatrical chaos. 
 - Writer: Andrew Biss 
 - ITC: Dubai Drama Group 
 - Director: John Thekanady 
 - Cast: Rami Ahmed (Actor 1) & Solène Anglaret (Actor 2) 
 
 - 11. THE ACTOR’S VOW 
 - In The Actors Vow, actors Victor and Maya reunite in a theatre after fifteen years. As they reconnect, the stage is set once again for the games they still play. 
 - Writer: Lydia De Souza 
 ITC: Cross Bronx Studio
 - Director: Sahar Ali 
 - Cast: Meghana Dhawan (Maya) & Satya Baskaran (Victor) 
 
 - 12. OLD SCHOOL, NEW SCHOOL: BOOMER LOGIC GEN-Z VIBES! 
 When a protective father learns his daughter is dating a rapper, a hilarious clash of egos ensues, igniting Gen Z v/s Millennial conflicts and chaos, thanks to his cringe-worthy past and a meddling Boomer grandmother.
 - Writer: Nihal M Sayed 
 - Director: Nihal M Sayed 
 - Cast: Mandeep Walia (Grandmother/Daadi), Shilpa Sen (Pooja), Nishkka Paul (Ritu/Ritz), Mohamed Anas (DJ SMG) & Nihal M. Sayed (Vicky/Vikas) 
 
Finals
- 1. COMING TO TOWN 
 - A family reunion quickly spins into chaos when old secrets, wild theories, and unexpected confessions collide. Between holiday traditions and conspiracy obsessions, nothing is quite what it seems — and not everyone may survive the truth. 
 - Writer: Keith Whalen 
 - Director: Markella Paparizou 
 - Cast: Ahmed Al-Fadil (Kenny), Michella Contini (Arlene) & Roland Roth (Walter) 
 
 - 2. BREAD 
 - Three women working in a bakery dream of a life beyond their daily grind 
 - Writer: Ensemble 
 - ITC: Fresco Formation 
 - Director: James Cuningham 
 - Cast: Esraa Aboushahin, Pascale Daher, Lua Pons 
 
 - 3. COUPLING 
 - A morning-after misunderstanding sparks a hilarious debate on intimacy, love, and modern relationships. As Carli and Dylan challenge each other’s beliefs, humor and vulnerability blur the lines—just a fling or something real? 
 - Writer: Alan Brooks 
 - Director: Priya Pinto 
 - Cast: Harry Apostoleris (Dylan) & Jana Sabbagh (Carli) 
 
 - 4. CUBE – المكعب (ARABIC) 
 - Two men find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere, haunted by the questions of time and place. With fading hope, they face harsh odds and must endure to survive. 
 - Writer: Issa Daadaa 
 - Director: Mahmoud Basioni & Issa Daadaa 
 - Cast: Tilad Al Kelani (Character 1), Zain Zouheir (Character 2), 
 
 - 5. 8:00PM TRUCE 
 - If you repeat "a lie" long enough... it becomes history. 
 - Writer: Shireen Al Shoufi 
 - Director: Shireen Al Shoufi 
 - Cast: Basel Yafi (Basilio Yafifi), Obada Ghannam (Farooshi Talata), Vignesh Prasad (Zacki Mono), Lilo Lemvar (Mino Toki), Bashar Azzam (Tovigo), Nassim Abu Dan (Eliata), Basel Anid (Givoto) & Shireen Alshoufi (Talita) 
 
 - 6. THE CRAFT 
 - A sharp comedy about two actors stuck in a play-within-a-play, whose inner monologues expose their frustration, turning a dramatic love scene into theatrical chaos. 
 - Writer: Andrew Biss 
 - ITC: Dubai Drama Group 
 - Director: John Thekanady 
 - Cast: Rami Ahmed (Actor 1) & Solène Anglaret (Actor 2) 
 
 - 7. A KISSASTER NIGHT 
 - We all remember our 1st kiss. Some wish they didn’t! A chaotic night of teenage romance takes a hilarious unexpected turn when some kisses land… on the wrong lips… 
 - Writer: Pierre Maindivide 
 - ITC: A.M.I.C.I Theatre 
 - Director: Manon Maindivide & Thea Womack 
 - Cast: Manon Maindivide (Mia), Thea Womack (Lexie), Aiden Allen (Teddy) & Rhys Bunting (Alfie) 
 
 - 8. 2 SILENT 
 - After the funeral, the will is read in front of the widow but...What? Two women are here sobbing! Who was the truly loved one? Who is the one deserving the inheritance? 
 - Writer: Michela Contini & Franchesca Bizzari 
 - ITC: Scalambra 
 - Director: Michela Contini 
 - Cast: Michela Contini (Widow 1) & Franchesca Bizzari (Widow 2) 
 
 - 9. CORPORATE MANIFESTWO 
 - For Applicant 51AV3, a job rejection feels like a trial. 
 - Writer: Gaby Milky 
 ITC: Blinktonasia
 - Director: Gaby Milky 
 - Cast: Charbel Dahdouh (The Prosecutor), Nicholas Toubia (Applicant 51AV3), Razane Siblini (The Hiring Manager), Pascale Daher (The Judge) & Gaby Milky (The Bailiff) 
 
 - 10. GOLD OR GLITTERS 
 - In a world of dazzling appearances, two elegant neighbors meet, each masked in charm, each hiding truth. Beneath the surface, will they find real gold… or just glitter that fades? 
 - Writer: Ramy Magdy 
 - Director: Ramy Magdy 
 - Cast: Jennifer Schmidt (Jenny), Ezz El-Din Omar (Muhammed) & Mohamed Mamdouh Shika (Peter) 
 
 - 11. PORKCHOP POLITICS (TAGALOG) 
 Full of sarcasm and mockery, three women of City Buwis-Buhay make a ridiculous joke of voting a pig for the upcoming mayoral election.
 - Writer: Rissy McGrath 
 - Director: Rissy McGrath 
 - Cast: Jennifer Castro (Nina), Jeremie Fortes (Amy), Trixie Balangao (Bella) & Jency Aves (Politician / TV Announcer) 
 


















