Al-Khaja is currently working on her upcoming feature, a mystery thriller titled 'Baab', set in Ras Al Khaimah.
Netflix has released two films by Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al-Khaja, which include her first full-length feature film The Shadow and short film Animal.
Animal is a 14-minute short that tells the story of a girl aged seven, who is struggling to endure life marked by three controlling guardians.
Arabic-language supernatural thriller The Shadow is inspired by a real-life family experience, according to the director.
The film is also being developed into an international feature called Three, which is due to be released in 2023.
Al-Khaja wrote on Instagram: “Thank you, Netflix, for selecting both films for a worldwide release. I have received messages from different continents and connected with other storytellers because of this. This is a wonderful positive step toward what’s ahead, especially for female voices in the MENA region. The feedback and reviews have been overwhelming.”
Al-Khaja is widely recognised as the UAE’s first independent female filmmaker. Her previous work includes short films The Neighbor and Malal.
Earlier this year, Al-Khaja teamed up with award-winning Indian composer AR Rahman for her upcoming feature film Baab, which she describes as her first “arthouse” movie.
