To close the 2021 edition of the Emirati FilmFest, the UAE Embassy in Washington DC invites you to an online conversation with three prominent Emirati film directors.
As the film industry grows in the UAE, stories from the Emirates are traveling around the world. This January, the UAE Embassy’s Cultural Diplomacy Department was delighted to partner with Image Nation Abu Dhabi to highlight three such stories to our US audience: Rashid & Rajab, On Borrowed Time (Shabab Sheyab) and Khalek Shanab.
On Wednesday, February 3rd, the embassy will cap off the 2021 Emirati FilmFest: Online Edition with an exclusive conversation with the filmmakers. Image Nation’s Talal Alasmani will moderate the webinar featuring Majid AlAnsari (Shabab Sheyab) , Mohamed Saeed Harib (Rashid and Rajab) and Hani AlShaibani (Khalek Shanab). Join us as we explore the burgeoning film industry in the UAE and offer an inside look into the month’s comedies.
To register, click here
BIOS:
Majid Al Ansari, Executive Producer, Shabab Sheyab
A director and producer whose debut feature film Zinzana (Rattle The Cage) had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, its European premier at BFI London Film Festival, and its regional premier in Dubai International Film Festival. Variety called Zinzana “A world class neo noir thriller” and awarded Majid “Arab Filmmaker of the Year” at the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival. Zinzana was subsequently picked up by IM Global for world-wide representation, and sold to Netflix as the first Arab film acquisition after branching out to the Middle East. Since then Majid served as an Executive Producer on three major Arab films, including Yasir Al Yasiri’s Shabab Sheyab and Mohammad Saeed Harib’s Rashid and Rajab, and Shahad Ameen’s SCALES.
Mohamed Saeed Harib, Director, Rashid and Rajab
Mohammed is recognised worldwide as a pioneer of creative talent in the UAE. Best known as the creator of popular animated series “FREEJ”, Mohammed Saeed Harib is the chairman of Lammtara Art Production and the talented creator of the largest Arabic theatrical production in the Middle East “FREEJ Folklore” along with Emirati cartoon series and gaming app “Mandoos.” Mohammed’s filmography includes directing a chapter in Roger Allers’ animated Hollywood production of “KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET” (2015) where he worked alongside Salma Hayek and Liam Neeson. Mohammed was a creative consultant for Kanye West’s art film “CRUEL SUMMER” (2013), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Along with accolades from the Dubai International Film Festival and CEO Middle East magazine, he has also been recognised as one of the World’s Most Influential Arabs multiple times by Arabian Business magazine.
Hani AlShaibani, Director Khalek Shanab
Hani Al Shaibani (b. 1974) is an Emirati filmmaker. He has an MA in Visual Media Arts, TV and Cinema major, from Griffith University, Australia. He has directed and produced numerous films and received several awards. Produced and Directed 7 short films and 4 long features including, “Dream” in 2004, “Gomaa and the sea” in 2007 , Waiting list (2016) & Khalil Shanab (2019).
Talal Alasmani, Senior Development Executive, Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
After pursuing a BA in mass communications at the American University of Sharjah, he traveled to Los Angeles and earned an MFA in filmmaking. In 2013, he joined Image Nation Abu Dhabi. Today, as a senior executive in the industry, he’s been involved in the development and production of several of the region’s films and television-shows, collaborating with the best from the industry’s regional and international talent. Besides his passion for the business and craft, he’s also passionate about sharing his experiences and contributing to the industries growth.
