July 9, 2019—With deep sadness we share the news that Abdullah Alshtail, Theater Manager at The Scientific Center of Kuwait (TSCK), died on June 11, 2019, after his battle with cancer. The Scientific Center has kindly shared the following:

“It is with profound grief that we at The Scientific Center announce the death of our dear friend and colleague Abdullah Alshtail on 11 June 2019 after his battle with cancer. He was 39 years old and is survived by his wife and four children.

He started his career at a very young age as an IMAX Projectionist, joining The Scientific Center of Kuwait in 2000 as one of the center’s first employees. Through hard work, determination, and personal sacrifice, he was promoted to IMAX Theater Manager. He was a natural when it came to technology and was always passionate about the film industry. He was instrumental in initiating the upgrade of the TSCK IMAX Theater to the laser system and leading the TSCK team behind the upgrade. He was also behind the opening of TSCK Recording Studio where the Arabic versions of many giant screen films are being recorded.  

Abdullah was a kind, respectful, caring, and easygoing person, always a smile on his face and commenting or joking with his colleagues. Abdullah was a very vibrant person who loved to travel to extraordinary places and live on the edge, with skydiving in Dubai and rappelling into lava lakes in Vanuatu to name just a few things he’s done. He was respected by all who knew him and will be missed dearly.”

Michael Dalton Smith, producer, director, writer, and cinematographer of the film Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation, shared the following: “Abdullah’s was the first theatre to come to me and say he wanted Volcanoes back when I first pitched it in the GSCA films in production session in Los Angeles.  He was so eager that I invited him on a shoot, which he took me up on. We spent three weeks in often miserable and dangerous conditions on two volcanoes, and he loved every dirty and smelly second of it.  During the first rough screening of Volcanoes we sat together and relived every moment. He was so excited! It was only weeks after that that he found out that he had a brain tumor and was operated on. I’ll miss him. He was a good friend, and great company!  

We at GSCA will remember Abdullah for his enthusiasm and dedication, his warm and friendly personality, and that smile that could light up the whole room. We will miss him dearly and send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.