From Abbas Kiarostami to Majid Majidi, the Arab world has seen its fair share of talented filmmakers. The contribution of the Arab world to the film industry is substantial and it continues to grow with many new talents coming forward. With streaming platforms like Netflix gaining popularity all over the world, filmmakers are getting the opportunity to actualize the full potential of their creativity.
Filmmaking is an art that evokes all kinds of emotions in people. It creates a universe of its own, giving one the closest experience of living the life of another. Filmmaking is much more than the ability to convey a story visually; it is that which brings to life what words cannot.
Here are 8 Arab filmmakers making an impact in the industry with their incredible work.
Tima Shomali
Writer, Producer, Director and Actress, there isn’t much Tima Shomali cannot do. Tima is popularly known for directing the acclaimed Netflix miniseries AlRawabi School for Girls. The Jordanian filmmaker is recognised for her ability to look at societal problems in a new light and she has excelled in portraying it in her work. AlRawabi School for Girls is the second Netflix original series in Arabic.
Bassel Ghandour
Ghandour is famous for the 2016 Oscar Nominee and BAFTA-winning movie, Theeb, which he co-wrote and produced. He made his directorial debut with the film, The Alleys, which premiered at the 2021 Locarno Film Festival. Ghandour’s Theeb is definitely a good pick if you want to watch something new!
Nujoom Alghanem
Nujoom Alghanem, as her Instagram bio explains, is a talented artist who views filmmaking as [her] profession and art and poetry as [her] passion. The Emirati award-winning director has produced works including Honey, Rain & Dust, Red Blue Yellow and Hamama. Nujoom is definitely one to watch out for in the Arab filmmaking industry.
Amjad Abu Alala
The Dubai-born Sudanese film director and screenwriter is one of the most talented creators in the Arab world. He rose to fame after his first feature film, You Will Die at Twenty, in 2019. Abu Alala has been a part of multiple projects, including the short films Coffee and Oranges, Birds’ Feathers, Teena, and Studio.
Michel Kammoun
Michel Kammoun is a Lebanese-French film director known for his feature film Falafel. He has written and directed multiple short films and has also participated in film festivals around the globe. He directed the episode ‘The Big Red Heart’ in Netflix’s Love, Life and Everything in Between.
Hicham Lasri
A Moroccan filmmaker known for his avant-garde and experimental style, Hicham Lasri is an exciting personality in the film industry. He is also a comic artist, novelist, producer and screenwriter. He has written screenplays for multiple films, of which he has directed more than 10. Check out this talented filmmaker on Instagram to learn more about him.
Khairy Beshara
Beshara is a renowned Egyptian director whose career has spanned over 50 years. He directed the episode titled ‘National day of Mourning in Mexico’ in the Netflix Series Love, Life and Everything in Between. He is a filmmaker who has also worked in movies, including Ice Cream Fi Glym, Amrica Shika Bika, and Fatat El-Masna.
Damien Ounouri
Damien Ounouri is a French-Algerian director who has contributed to the film industry with numerous exciting films. His debut feature, The Last Queen, is the first-ever full-scale costume drama in Algerian cinema. If you’re one to enjoy new ideas and captivating content, this is the filmmaker for you!
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