Al Fahad shared her pioneering journey as the first Emirati female film director, navigating challenges from directing commercials to entering cinema and drama.
Emirati filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad delivered a speech on the importance of knowledge transfer and empowering female voices at the Xposure International Photography Festival (Xposure 2024) in Sharjah on March 3.
In a fireside chat with Dr Abdelsalam Alhammadi of Sharjah TV, Almheiri shared her journey of breaking barriers in the male-dominated film industry. Hailing from Dubai, Nahla is renowned for her contributions to the silver screen, earning her international acclaim and awards.
Al Fahad reminisced about her childhood spent watching cartoons on television, which sparked her passion for images and direction. Despite no familial interest in cinema, her fascination with storytelling began with a Kodak camera. “I used to watch 40 films a week and capture numerous images on my camera,” she recounted. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Media from Derby University, UK, Almheiri urged parents to encourage their children’s interests in stories and animation from a young age.
After graduating from a Dubai college in Media Marketing and Advertising, Nahla initially joined video clubs producing short videos and commercials, laying the groundwork for her transition to cinema. She emphasised the importance of practical experience and self-education, stating that universities cannot teach everything. Almheiri stressed the significance of interacting with specialists in the field, recounting her journey of overcoming shyness to acquire knowledge from experts.
Al Fahad, known for producing award-winning movies like The Tainted Veil, highlighted the growing interest in Arab world stories, particularly in the East. Working closely with Shams (Sharjah Media City), she praised Sharjah as “a city that believed in her.” Almheiri has produced numerous videos for awareness campaigns, including during the Covid lockdown years, such as the acclaimed 218: Behind the Wall of Silence, which garnered multiple awards at the Amsterdam Film Festival in 2022.
Thrilled to explore the halls of Xposure 2024, Almheiri found inspiration amidst a diverse array of creations, describing the experience as motivating for filmmakers like herself.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the exhibition runs from February 28 to March 5 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, showcasing a rich tapestry of photography and visual arts.
