Nayla Al Khaja

Nāyla al-Khāja (Arabic: نايلة الخاجة‎, born 7 March 1978) is the first female film director-producer[1][2] in the United Arab Emirates.[3] She is the CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and is also founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007. Al-Khāja wrote, produced and directed several films, presented and awarded in international film festivals.[4] Since 2018, Al-Khāja focuses on directing films. She is also a motivational speaker,[5] a cultural consultant and an influencer.

Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla Al Khaja in 2015
Born (1978-03-07) 7 March 1978
Dubai
NationalityEmirati
OccupationDirector, producer
Spouse(s)
Christian Peter
​
(m. 2017)​

Beginnings

Holder of a degree in Mass Communication from Dubai Women's College, she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor in Image Studies and Filmmaking from Ryerson University (Canada). Back in Dubai, she directed and produced the documentary Unveiling Dubai. Supported by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Higher Education, the film premiered at the 2006 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and he officially announced her as the first woman filmmaker in the UAE.[6]

Filmmaker

Paving the way for her career as a professional film director, al-Khaja shot several debut films as of 1993. Her first 8mm work was a film called Sweet Sixteen (1996). It was entirely shot in the deserts of Mirdif and was immediately followed by The Will (released in 2003), in collaboration with Tim Smythe, from the Dubai production company Filmworks. She experimented the documentary style with 3adi.com (1998), followed by two narratives, Cockroach (2004) and The Loss (2005). In 2006, Al Khaja wrote and directed her first commissioned short film, Arabana about child abuse (with the support of Unicef), which premiered at DIFF 2007. The same year, she was awarded the title of Best Emirati Filmmaker. She wrote and directed three more short films: Once (2009), Malal (2010) and The Neighbor (2013). Malal[7] received the Muhr Emirati Award at DIFF 2010 and The Neighbor was awarded Best Emirati Film at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Film Festival. In October 2016, she shot the pilot of her first feature film, Animal, nominated for the Muhr Emirati Awards at DIFF 2016. This short film received the Jury’s Special Prize for Best Short Fiction at the Italian Movie Award in Pompeii, Italy, in September 2017. Animal also received the Jury Award[8] in the "Narrative Film" category at the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (UAE) in February 2018. Since 2017, Al Khaja has been developing her first feature film, Animal,[9] and was awarded an accreditation to present the project at the Producers Network during the Cannes Film Festival (France) in May 2018.[10]

Entrepreneur

Since its inception in 2005, Nayla al-Khaja's production house, D-Seven Motion Pictures,[11][12] has been focusing on projects fully developed and produced locally.[13][14] Over the years, she has produced in numerous promotional films and TV commercials in the UAE for local and international brands, while mentoring young Arab talents.[15][16] In 2015, her company was hired by Discovery Studios for a TV show about Dubai housewives. An American reality-show channel bought the rights for this show and D-Seven Motion Pictures line-produced its pilot, entirely shot in Dubai. The same year, the Dubai Film and TV Commission asked Al Khaja’s company to shoot a behind-the-scenes film for Star Trek Beyond to highlight Dubai as a regional filming hub. Her film club, The Scene Club (22,000 registered members) has been continuously presenting a wide selection of independent movies and award-winning films in their original format to UAE audiences.[17] The year 2017 marked the 10th anniversary of the club. In 2017 D-Seven Motion Pictures rebranded to Nayla Al Khaja Films.

Influencer

Since 2011, Nāyla al-Khāja has been a Brand Ambassador for Canon Middle East.[18] She frequently travels abroad to speak in international keynotes about cinema, entrepreneurship, culture, youth motivation and women's empowerment in the Middle East. She also directs and produces digital content for social media channels and delivers daily live sessions on Instagram. Since October 2017, she has directed and appeared in her own YouTube web-series, #NaylaFlogs, where she shares her life as a filmmaker with her followers. Al-Khaja has helped develop the UAE’s film industry[19][20] and has advocated for the role of women in cinema.[21][22] While she kept supporting and mentoring Middle Eastern talents, she became a reference for professionals in the region.[23]

Filmography
  • Sweet Sixteen (1996) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja, comedy short
  • 3adi.com (1998) – Directed by Nayla Al Khaja, documentary
  • The Will (2003) – Produced by Nayla Al Khaja, directed by Sharif Junaid, documentary
  • The Loss (2005) – Produced by Nayla Al Khaja with Shawn Reynolds, Shannon Paterson, Mackenzie Muldoon, drama
  • Unveiling Dubai (2005) – Produced and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Nayla Al Khaja, Nicolas Doldinger, documentary
  • Arabana (2006) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Feriyal Entezari, drama short
  • Once (2009) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Nifin G. Al Din, Bassim Sami Al Khalif, Hammad B. Al Khalif, drama short
  • Malal (2010) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Nayla Al Khaja, Hormuz Mehta, Ghassan Al Khateri, romance/drama short
  • Hi (2012) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Mona Al Assa’d, Sheree Framrose, drama short
  • Three (2013) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Aya Al Ansari, Fatima Al Shroqi, Katrina Bernardo, horror short
  • The Neighbor (2013) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Crystal Bates, short
  • Animal (Pilot, 2016) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Mohammed Ahmed, Venetia Tiarks, Donya Asi, Abhijit Baruah, pilot for feature film
  • The Shadow (2019) – Written and directed by Nayla Al Khaja with Sara Al Aqeeli, Mohannad Huthail, Miran Yazi, Mona Ragab, Abdulrahman Ahmed, Abdulrazzaq Al Khaja, Rashid Mohammed, Mohammed Mahfoud, Drama Short

Film awards
  • "Best UAE talent" for The Shadow, Al Ain Film Festival, United Arab Emirates, 2020
  • Jury Award, “Narrative Film” category, for Animal, Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, Ras-Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 2018
  • Jury Special Prize, "Best Short Fiction", for Animal, Italian Movie Award, Pompeii, Italy, 2017
  • "Best Short Film" for The Neighbor, Middle East Now Festival, Florence, Italy, 2015
  • "Muhr Emirati - Special Jury Award" for The Neighbor, Dubai International Film Festival, 2015
  • Doha Film Institute (DFI), "Hazawi Fund for Short Film" Three, April 2013
  • "Production of the Year Award", Malal, Digital Studio Award, 2011
  • "1st Prize, Muhr Emirati Category" for Malal, Dubai International Film Festival, 2010
  • "Best Script Award" for Malal, Gulf International Film Festival, 2010
  • "1st Prize, International Young Screen Entrepreneur," British Council, UK and UAE, 2010
  • "1st Prize, Emirati Short Film Script Competition", Gulf Film Festival, UAE, 2010
  • "Best Female Filmmaker", Dubai International Film Festival, 2007

Accolades (summary)
  • "Top four emirati women listed in Forbes", September 2019
  • "Black Swan Award for Women Empowerment", Asia One, 2019
  • "Most Admired Leaders of Asia 2018 - Process Evaluators & Research", BARC Asia & Jury Panel, 2018
  • "First Emirati ever to be awarded a seat at the prestigious Producers Network at the Cannes Film Festival", for the feature script Animal, 2018
  • "Entrepreneur of the Year", Gulf Business Awards, September 2017
  • "100 most powerful Arabs under 40", Arabian Business Power List, 2015
  • "Top Female Entrepreneur in The Middle East", August 2013
  • Recognized as "500 Most Powerful Arab People", 2012
  • "Top 50 Most Powerful Arab Women", 2012
  • "Visionary of the Year", Arabian Business Awards, 2011
  • Member of Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Melbourne International Film Festival, 2010
  • Endorser for Emirates NBD Bank
  • UAE Representative (Filmmaker Category), US Dept. of State, International Visitors Leadership Program, 2010
  • Jury member at the Middle East International Film Festival, 2009
  • Cultural guide and co-host on Paris Hilton’s “My BFF”
  • "UAE Woman of the Year", Film/Photo Category, L’Officiel Magazine, 2009
  • "Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year", Middle East Businesswomen and Leaders Achievement Awards, 2007
  • "Inspirational Leadership Award", Lloyds TSB Bank, 2006
  • "Emirates Woman of the Year", Emirates Woman Magazine, 2005
  • "Local Artist of the Year", Emirates Woman Magazine, 2005
  • "The Youngest Entrepreneur", Global Businesswomen and Leaders’ Summit Awards, 2005

References
  1. Grimley Evans, Piers (October 1, 2005). "Another day, another first". Gulf News. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  2. Zafar, Rahilla (2014). Arab Women Rising "Nayla Al Khaja, a Filmmaker Seeks Support for the Burgeoning Emirati Movie Industry.". USA: Knowledge@Wharton (University of Pennsylvania). pp. 77–80. ISBN 978-1-62921-079-7.
  3. "People in Film: Nayla Al Khaja". Doha Film Institute, Interview. July 26, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  4. Thekkepat, Shiva Kumar (November 4, 2011). "Meet the UAE's first female film-maker". Gulf News. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  5. Newbould, Chris (November 13, 2017). "UK/UAE Short Film Festival gets under way". The National. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  6. Staff Reporter (August 30, 2004). "Unveiling Dubai captivates all". Khaleej Times. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  7. Kennedy, Philippa (August 15, 2010). "Against the Grain". The National. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  8. Shaaban, Ahmed (March 3, 2018). "Curtains down on 6th RAK Fine Arts Festival". Khaleej Times. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  9. Zakaria, Sherouk (September 17, 2017). "UAE's first female filmmaker gearing up for feature film". Khaleej Times. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  10. Vivarelli, Nick (December 10, 2017). "Dubai Film Connection Announces Arab Projects Prizewinners of 2017 Edition". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  11. Cherian, Vijaya (August 2, 2007). "Million Dollar dreams". Arabian Business. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  12. Chudy (Associated Press), Jolanta (September 21, 2007). "Middle East film comes of age". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  13. Zafar, Rahilla (January 4, 2013). "Nayla Al Khaja and UAE's Burgeoning Movie Industry". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  14. Hoad, Phil (October 27, 2011). "UAE's film industry – all talk no action?". The Guardian. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  15. Dubai Government, Press Release (May 12, 2016). "Dubai to showcase its thriving film industry and champion Arab talent at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival". Dubai Film and TV Commission. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  16. Higher Colleges of Technology UAE, Press Release (November 21, 2011). "Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja passes on advice to ADMC students". HCT UAE. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  17. Digital Studios Middle East, Press Release (May 30, 2017). "Nayla Al Khaja kicks off latest movie venture in Dubai". Digital Studios ME. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  18. World cinema report, Press Release (August 29, 2017). "UAE Filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja: Ambassador on Emirati Women's Day". Cinema without Borders. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  19. Collins, Madeleine (October 24, 2008). "The first lady of film". Arabian Business. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  20. McGinley, Shane (December 10, 2011). "Arab Spring may spark boom in movie business". Arabian Business Lifestyle. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  21. Nadja-Christina Schneider, Carola Richter (Hrsg.) (2015). New Media Configurations and Socio-Cultural Dynamics in Asia and the Arab World. "A relationship with benefits: Female filmmakers navigating government control in the United Arab Emirates" by Xenia Tabitha Gleissner. Germany: Auflage. pp. 260–285. ISBN 978-3-8487-1293-9.
  22. Yunis, Alia (2014). Film as Nation Building: The UAE Goes into the Movie Business | Volume 3.2. Pittsburgh, USA: Zayed University. pp. 61–63. ISSN 2158-8724.
  23. Dubai Film and TV Commission, Press Release (September 11, 2012). "Dubai's persistence starts to bear fruit". Dubai Government. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
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