Nayla Al Khaja Explained

Birth Date:7 March 1978
Birth Place:Dubai
Nationality:Emirati
Occupation:Director, producer
Relatives:2

Nayla Al Khaja (Arabic: نايلة الخاجة‎; born March 7 March 1978) is the first female screenwriter, director, and producer in the United Arab Emirates,[1]

Education

Al Khaja pursued image studies and filmmaking in Toronto.[2] She earned a degree in mass communication from Dubai Women's College and completed her bachelor's degree in film studies[3] at Ryerson University in Toronto in 2005.

Film career

In 2006, her film Arabana premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival, where she was honored as the best Emirati filmmaker.[4] This recognition paved the way for a series of notable short films, including Once (2009), Malal (2010), and The Neighbor (2013).

Al Khaja's films, Animal and The Shadow achieved international recognition when Netflix acquired their rights in September 2022. This expanded her reach to a global audience.[5] [6]

In April 2021, media outlets reported Al Khaja's entry into series production. Her anthology The Alexandria Killings, will be directed by Terry George, with Al Khaja serving as executive producer and set to direct multiple episodes.[7]

In 2023, Al Khaja produced her debut drama, horror, and thriller feature film, Three.[8] It debuted at the third Red Sea International Film Festival that same year.[9] The horror-thriller explores themes of grief, familial bonds, and cross-cultural beliefs. Vox distribution released the film in the Middle East and North Africa 1 February 2024.[10] The film is the first Arabic production to utilize AI technology for voice localization, resulting in its release in Mandarin. Premiering in Chinese on March, Three is the first Emirati film to reach a global audience.[11] The feature film 'THREE' was showcased at the Moscow International Film Festival held in Moscow, Russia, on April 21, 2024.[12]

Al Khaja is developing a second fantasy-realism horror feature film, Baab, with A. R. Rahman[13] set to compose the musical score.

Filmography and awards

Filmography
Title Year Al Khaja credit Genre Project type Award(s)
Sweet Sixteen 1996 Writer & director Comedy Short
3adi.com 1998 Director Documentary Short
The Will 2003 Producer Documentary Short
The Loss 2005 Producer Drama Short
Unveiling Dubai 2005 Producer & director Documentary Short
Arabana 2006 Writer & director Drama Short Best Female Filmmaker – Dubai International Film Festival, 2007
Once 2009 Writer & director Drama Short
Malal 2010 Writer & director Short Production of the Year – Digital Studio Award, 2011; 1st prize, Muhr Emirati Category – Dubai International Film Festival, 2010; Best Script – Gulf International Film Festival, 2010; 1st prize, International Young Screen Entrepreneur – British Council, 2010; 1st prize, Emirati Short Film Script Competition – Gulf Film Festival, 2010
Hi 2012 Writer & directorDrama Short
Three 2013 Writer & directorHorror Short Hazawi Fund for Short Film – Doha Film Institute, 2013
The Neighbor 2013 Writer & directorDrama Short Best Short Film – Middle East Now Festival, 2015; Muhr Emirate, Special Jury Award – Dubai International Film Festival, 2015; Best Emirati Film – Abu Dhabi Film Festival, 2013
Animal 2016 Writer & directorDrama Short (pilot for feature project) Best women's issue short – Madrid Arthouse Film Festival, 2022; Best Short Cinematography – Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills, 2021; Jury Award, Narrative Film – Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, 2018; Jury Special Prize, Best Short Fiction – Italian Movie Award, 2017
The Shadow 2019 Writer & directorDrama, horror Short (pilot for feature project) Best Cinematography in Short – Dubai Independent Film Festival, 2022; Best Horror Short – Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills, 2021; Best Fantasy / Horror Short – WorldFest Houston, 2020; Best United Arab Emirates talent – Al Ain Film Festival, 2020
The Road to Fulfilment 2022 Director Documentary Short Documentaries and Reports: Environment, Ecology and Sustainability, Silver Dolphin Award – Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, 2023
Three 2023 Writer & directorDrama, thriller, horror Feature film

Other work

As the CEO of Al Khaja Films (formerly D-Seven Motion Pictures) since 2005, Al Khaja has played a significant role in local film production. Her company has also produced commercial films. Al Khaja has directed commercials for brands and she served as a behind-the-scenes director on Star Trek 3, appointed by the Dubai Film and TV Commission.

In 2007, Al Khaja founded the Scene Club (later changed the Scene), the UAE's first film club.[14] With a membership exceeding 22,000, the Scene Club has functioned as a cultural hub, introducing independent films to audiences in the UAE.[15] [16]

Al Khaja became the representative, brand ambassador, and endorser of companies through partnerships and promotions, including Apple,[17] Samsung,[18] Oppo,[19] Honor,[20] Du Telecommunication,[21] Porsche,[22] LG,[23] Canon,[24] Gucci,[25] Chopard,[26] Damas Jewelry,[27] Estée Lauder,[28] TAG Heuer,[29] Philadelphia Cream Cheese,[30] Neutrogena,[31] and Emirates airline.[32]

Al Khaja is proficient in five languages, and speaks on cinema, entrepreneurship, culture, youth motivation, and women's empowerment. She has given TED Talks.[33]

Awards and honors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The UAE's First Female Film Director: How Nayla Al Khaja Is Breaking Into Hollywood As An Emirati Woman. Charlotte. Burney. Forbes. 18 January 2024.
  2. Web site: Nayla Al Khaja: The UAE's First Female Film Director & Producer. Mary. Pratt. 12 December 2018. 18 January 2024.
  3. Web site: Film alumna smashes barriers as first female film director in the United Arab Emirates . Toronto Metropolitan University . 21 September 2021 . 18 January 2024.
  4. Web site: People in Film: Nayla Al Khaja . Doha Film Institute . 26 July 2011 . 18 January 2024.
  5. Web site: Netflix streams two films by Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al-Khaja . Arab News . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Netflix releases two films by Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja. Hayley. Skirka. 5 November 2022. The National. 18 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Allam . Roula . Emirati Filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja To Begin International Journey With 'The Alexandria Killings' . About Her . 5 January 2024 . 18 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Three . .
  9. Web site: Three – Red Sea Film . Red Sea Film – Red Sea Film Festival . 30 November 2023 . 18 January 2024.
  10. Web site: Sheded . Mona . Kay . Jeremy . Rosser . Michael . UAE thriller 'Three' lands Middle East distribution ahead of Red Sea premiere (exclusive) . Screen . 18 January 2024 . 18 January 2024.
  11. https://www.onearabia.me/hollywood/mandarin-release-for-nayla-al-khajas-movie-three-009941.html
  12. Web site: ТРИ .
  13. Web site: A.R. Rahman, Nayla Al Khaja Team on 'Baab'. Naman. Ramachandran. 11 May 2022. 18 January 2024.
  14. News: Profile: The Scene Club. Digital Studio Middle East. 18 January 2024. 27 July 2014.
  15. Web site: دبي . محمد عبدالمقصود - . نايلة الخاجة: «المشهد».. قصة نجاح سينمائية في دبي . emaratalyoum.com. 18 November 2017 . ar . 18 January 2024.
  16. Web site: Philanthropy: Nayla Al Khaja on filmmaking & female empowerment . Lux Magazine . 20 December 2021 . 18 January 2024.
  17. Web site: Creating Opportunities: Nayla Alkhaja - Nayla Alkhaja Films no Apple Podcasts .
  18. Web site: DIFF and Samsung launch second Samsung Short Film Contest .
  19. Web site: In Conversation with OPPO Brand Ambassador and the UAE's First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja . L'Officiel Arabia . 19 January 2023 . 18 January 2024.
  20. Web site: Honor Teams Up with the Emirati Filmmaker 'Nayla Al-Khaja' . Review Central Middle East . 2 June 2022 . 18 January 2024.
  21. Web site: Du salutes the spirit of women in business with launch of first-of-its-kind in the region "Her Business Super Plan" .
  22. Web site: In the Fast Lane .
  23. https://tradearabia.com/touch/article/RET/208860
  24. Web site: Canon keeps award-winning UAE filmmaker as ambassador . 29 August 2017 .
  25. https://www.hiamag.com/%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%82
  26. Web site: Digital Cover featuring Nayla Al Khaja. www.arabianmoda.com. 18 January 2024.
  27. Web site: Damas Continues to Highlight Women Empowerment with the Luxurious Alif Collection .
  28. Web site: Saudi ballerina Samira Al-Khamis stars in Estee Lauder Ramadan campaign .
  29. Web site: TAG Heuer club members accelerate through Dubai in McLaren supercars . 8 March 2014 .
  30. https://tradearabia.com/touch/article/MISC/193942
  31. Web site: See What's Possible: Neutrogena Launches its First Global Campaign in the Middle East . 8 May 2016 .
  32. Web site: Emirati women at the forefront of the UAE's thriving aviation and travel industry .
  33. Web site: TEDxAbuDhabi | TED .
  34. Web site: 'Woman of the Year' Honor for Emirati Filmmaker. 10 April 2006. Arab News. 18 January 2024.
  35. Web site: Another day, another first. 1 October 2005. gulfnews.com. 18 January 2024.
  36. Web site: Flair for business flourishing in Dubai. 18 November 2006. gulfnews.com. 18 January 2024.
  37. Web site: Meet The Top 100 Global Women Mentors. 18 January 2024.
  38. Web site: Kiarostami to preside over Middle East festival jury. 5 October 2009. Mehr News Agency. 18 January 2024.
  39. Web site: UAE markets Emirati cinema Down Under - eb247 - The Business of Life - Entertainment - Emirates24|7. 20 July 2010. www.emirates247.com. 18 January 2024.
  40. Web site: June Citizen Diplomacy News. myemail.constantcontact.com. 18 January 2024.
  41. Web site: Frieda Pinto on DIFF jury duty. 5 December 2012. gulfnews.com. 18 January 2024.
  42. News: Arabian Business. 20 November 2011. Anil Bhoyrul. Dubai Police chief takes top honour at awards night.
  43. Web site: Short and sweet. 17 October 2011. gulfnews.com. 18 January 2024.
  44. News: Arabian Business. InPics: The 100 Most Powerful Arab Women.
  45. News: Arabian Business. InPics: The 100 Most Powerful Arab Women.
  46. News: Arabian Business. 19 April 2015. InPics: The 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40.
  47. Web site: Diff 2017: IWC Filmmaker Award shortlist revealed. 30 October 2017. gulfnews.com. 18 January 2024.
  48. Web site: Revealed: Winners at the Gulf Business Awards 2017. Aarti. Nagraj. 11 September 2017. 18 January 2024.
  49. Web site: Nayla Al Khaja's film accredited for Cannes Producers' Network. Staff. Reporter. 12 December 2017. 18 January 2024.
  50. Web site: Most Admired Leaders. Sunita Rawat. 18 January 2024.
  51. Web site: These four Emirati women are on Forbes' Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands list. Fatma. Abusief. 2 September 2019. 18 January 2024.
  52. Web site: Revealed: Winners at the 2020 Gulf Business Awards. Zainab. Mansoor. 26 November 2020. 18 January 2024.
  53. News: Nayla Al Khaja. Arabian Business.
  54. Web site: Women in Film and TV take the spotlight at the 6th META Cinema Forum. www.zawya.com. 18 January 2024.
  55. Web site: 14 Successful Emirati Women Who Continue to Help Build the UAE. 28 August 2023. Vogue Arabia. 18 January 2024.
  56. Web site: ME Women Leaders Awards 2023. 18 January 2024. menawomenleaders.com.

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