LATEST UPDATES.
We’re at the last quarter of 2011 and I’m happy to see exciting things plotted on my calendar.
CANON is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the region and as an ambassador and enthusiast of their cameras, I’m excited to hear about the new and thrilling series of activities which will unveil in the upcoming Press Conference in October. Something to watch out for aspiring photographers and film-makers!
TROPFEST Arabia, the Arabic version of the world’s largest short film festival has just officially closed film submissions, meaning we are just inches away from the very first TROPFEST to be held in the Arab world. I couldn’t be more proud to sit as a juror together with award-winning film aficionados such as John Polson (Actor/Director), Amin Dora (Lebanese Director), Mamdouh Salem (Saudi Film-maker/ Producer) and many more. This is a celebration for hopeful film-makers to show their talents to the community. What excites me the most is that through this, we will be definitely looking at the future of Arab Cinema.
The Scene Club is in its renovation phase and we look forward to bringing back the Thursday film nights rolling. In addition, we are also cooking something fresh for Abu Dhabi film-lovers, so watch out for that!
See you all in DIFF 2011!
Malal - First Emirati Indian Film
August 2010 will be a critical month for four Emirati film makers, including myself. I am shooting my next film in Munar South of India, just got back from location scouting and was stunned at the untouched nature there. Challenge? shooting uphill - narrow roads- moving a 40 man crew with trucks. Challenge to Emirati's? we will be fasting in August, deep forest conditions, natural toilets and weak cell signals. Upside? awesome learning experience and reconnecting with my university friend who is a much sought after Director of Photography in Canada, the wonderful Daniel Grant. It is also my producer Wafa Tajdin's first film, so we are both excited to film the first Emirati-Indian film this summer.
Quick facts: This is my 5th short and the last one before venturing into my feature film. The word Malal means bored in Arabic. Running time will be around 15 minutes. I will be shooting on RED ONE. Film is supported by the Gulf Film Festival and twofour54. Film will be ready on January 10th 2011.
Synopsis: Bored wife on her honeymoon finds inspiration elsewhere.
About Nayla
Nayla Al Khaja, Filmography:
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Unveiling Dubai (2005) - Short Documentary – Director and Producer
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Arabana (2006) – Short Film - Writer/Director
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Once (2009) – Short Film – Writer/Director
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High Goal (2008-2009) – Documentary – Producer
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Malal (2010) – Short Film – Writer/Director/Producer - Muhr Emirati First Prize winner at Dubai International Film Festival 2010
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The Dhaka Project and I: A Journey of Selflessness (2010-2011) – Documentary (development) – Director
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A Portrait of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (2010-2011) - Documentary (development) – Executive Producer & Co-Director
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Saving Swat (2010-2011) – Documentary (post-production) – Executive Producer
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The Way of the Falcon: An insight into the heritage of falconry in the UAE (2010-2011) – Documentary (development) - Producer
For a more detailed biography please visit www.naylaalkhaja.com
Nayla is the first UAE woman independent film maker and the founder of D-Seven Motion Pictures, previously known as Dessart Productions founded in 2002, a Dubai based production company which produces commercial material, independent documentaries and films. She graduated from Dubai Women's College with a degree in Mass Communication in 1999 and had a stint with Arabian Radio Network where she hosted her own travel show. It turned out to be a great success, her ratings being second to only the managing director's show. However Nayla realized her true calling lay in film-production which prompted her to apply to Ryerson University in Canada, well known for its Film making program. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor in Image studies - Film making.
On her return to Dubai, Nayla recognized a lack of financial resources would create significant obstacles in realizing her dream of pioneering a film industry in the UAE. Instead of losing hope, she went out and found the resources to direct and produce her first documentary film, Unveiling Dubai (2004), which was premiered at Dubai International Film Festival. There was no looking back after that. Given a lack of regional film industry and Nayla being the first UAE national woman to embark on such a career, she received media attention and accolades from as far away as the Washington Post NHK and the BBC World.
In 2006, she produced and directed a movie called Arabana which deals with the disturbing issue of a child abuse, a subject which is taboo in the Middle East. Although it was very difficult to fit such an intense subject in a span of six minutes, Nayla managed to do so quite efficiently and not without effect. The movie is hard hitting and makes you sit back and take notice. The movie was premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival and received special recognition for its content.
Edward R. Pressman, producer of The Crow film series, Wall Street (1987) and American Psycho (2000) had this to say about Arabana: ‘Gorgeous and disturbing’.
Nayla’s accolades include: ‘Emirates Woman of the Year’ in 2005, ‘Best Emirati Filmmaker’ at DIFF in 2007 and ‘The Youngest Entrepreneur’ of the year in 2005 at the Global Businesswomen & Leaders Summit Awards. Nayla has been quoted as saying: “I am fortunate to have an enthusiastic team, together we aim to produce top quality commercial feature films from the Middle Eastern and market them globally”. Additionally, Nayla served as official juror in the feature film program, headed by Abbas Kiarostami, at the Middle East Film Festival (Abu Dhabi) in 2009 and has recently won best script award at the Gulf Film Festival 2010 for Malal. Malal recently won the First Prize for Muhr Emirati category at the Dubai International Film Festival.
Nayla has absolute faith in her dreams although she realizes that she still has a long way to go. She believes in the mind-altering and life-changing ability of films and wants to use this medium to change the way people in the West view the Middle East. She aspires to produce commercially viable, yet thought-provoking, feature films and to establish an image arts university in the UAE.
