Nayla Al Khaja
Nayla Al Khaja (Arabic: نايلة الخاجة) is an Emirati film director, screenwriter and producer. She is one of the few female film directors in the United Arab Emirates and the first female film producer in Dubai.[1] She is the founder of the film and television production company D-Seven Motion Pictures.D-Seven Motion Pictures was founded in 2005 as a full service production company specialising in Film, TV, Commercial, and branded entertainment. Under her guidance D-Seven quickly established itself and worked with brands including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Vogue, Nike, Nivea, Gucci, Canon and LG.
Early life
Nayla graduated from Dubai Women's College with a degree in Mass Communication in 1999 and had a stint with Arabian Radio Network where she hosted her own travel show. It turned out to be a great success, her ratings being first in the station. However, Nayla realized her true calling lay in film production which prompted her to apply to Ryerson University in Canada, well known for its Film making program. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor in Image studies – Film making.
D-Seven
D-Seven is a video production company based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.Films are produced in house bringing a wealth of experience and local knowledge to our productions. We also liaise with Dubai Film and TV Commission assisting them with film and photography shooting permits for Dubai, and manage the process with utmost speed and efficiency.
Career
On her return to Dubai, Nayla recognized a lack of financial resources would create significant obstacles in realizing her dream of pioneering a film industry in the UAE. Instead of losing hope, she went out and found the resources to direct and produce her first documentary film, Unveiling Dubai (2004), which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education in the UAE. The film was premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival. Given a lack of regional film industry and Nayla being the first UAE national woman to embark on such a career, she received media attention and accolades from as far away as the Washington Post NHK and the BBC World.
Emirates Woman of the Year 2005 award given to Nayla by the late Benazir Bhutto.
The Scene Club
In 2007 Nayla's passion for film saw her launch Dubai's first film club aptly called 'The Scene Club' which grew from a mere 50 members in its first year to over 10,600 registered members. The Scene Clubs popularity has grown with such enthusiasm that new branches are scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah soon.https://www.thesceneclub.com
Show-Reel
Filmography
- 2004 Unveiling Dubai (documentary)
- 2006 "Arabana"
- 2009 "Once"
- 2010 "Malal"[2]
- 2013 "The Neighbor"[3]
- 2013 Three
Awards and honors
- 2007 Muhr Award for Best Emirati Female Filmmaker at the Dubai International Film Festival
- Arabian Business named her on its list of the "500 Most Powerful Arab Women".[4]
- Her exploits saw her honoured with the 'Emirates Woman of the Year' in 2005, and 'The Youngest Entrepreneur' of the year at the 'Global Businesswomen & Leader's Summit Awards'.[5]
- Her exploits have seen her become an ambassador for Canon Middle East in addition to being ranked amongst the "top 50 most powerful personalities in Arab cinema","100 most powerful Arabs under 40" by the 'Arabian
Business' magazine, and recently awarded 'Visionary of the Year' at the 'Arabian Business Awards'.[5]
- Did the opening speech for the 11th edition of DIFF 2014
- Samsung Note 4 Launch (October): Nayla was one of the three guests of honor who were invited for a special inauguration of the Note 4. Each had to creatively represent the brand by showcasing their talents. In this case, Nayla
made a creative short video using the Note 4. It was played at the opening of the event.
- Samsung short film contest (October): Nayla acted as a mentor to filmmakers for a short film contest held by Samsung, all over the UAE. One winner will be selected to go to Cannes film festival in March 2015 along with Nayla.
- Samsung workshop for short film contest: Nayla conducted a workshop for all the selected filmmakers for the short film contest.
- Top Female Entrepreneur in The Middle East - August, 2013.
- Canon Middle East renews strategic partnership with Nayla Al Khaja for the 3rd time - April 2013.
- One of four filmmakers selected for Doha Film Institute (DFI) First Cycle of Hazawi Fund for Nayal's film 'Three' - April 2013.
- UN Speech for International women in film gathering at UN to stop violence against women, with the cooperation of the UN Mission to the UAE - February 2013.
- Nayla Al Khaja commissioned by The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) to make short films for the Authority's new cultural initiative, 'Soul of Dubai.'
- Chosen by Abu Dhabi Media hub to represent them on a CNN commercial.
- Secured partnership with Canon Middle East for her BLOOM! Cine Startups initiative and signed on as Brand
- Ambassador for Canon DSLR products.
- Presenting 'A Sleeping Giant called Film' at BOLD Talks 2011.
- Nayla recently won the first–ever Dubai International Film Festival Award for Emirati films for her short (Malal) taking 1st prize among 14 competitors in 2010.
- Won the British Council's International Young Screen Entrepreneur Award 2010 in a ceremony held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts – BAFTA – in London, October 2010. Nayla competed against 10 finalists from
around the world – Indonesia, Slovakia, Argentina, Mexico, India, Columbia, Syria, Vietnam, Poland and Russia
- Joins Abu Dhabi Film Commission in Melbourne International Film Festival 37 South Market 2010.
- Endorser for Emirates NBD Bank.
- Won 1st Prize in the Emirati Short Film Script Competition at the 3rd Gulf Film Festival 2010.
- Representative of the United Arab Emirates at the US Department of State International Visitors Leadership Program 2010 in the Filmmaker Category.
- L' Officiel Magazine Woman of the Year Award 2009 (Film/Photography Category).
- A jury member at the Middle East International Film Festival 2009. Jury was headed by world known filmmaker
Abbas Kiarostami.
- Nayla was appointed as the cultural guide and co-host on Paris Hilton's My BFF.
- Dubai Women's College Alumnae Entrepreneur Award 1992-1998
- Nayla has been Olay's Ambassador representing Arabian women in the Middle East from 2008-2010.
- Official judge of Red Bull: The Art of Can 2008.
- Best Female Filmmaker at Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2007.
- Won the Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 at the 6th Middle East Businesswomen and Leaders
Achievement Awards.
- Won the Lloyds TSB Bank Inspirational Leadership Award (2006)
- Was named "Emirates Woman of the Year, 2005" by Emirates Woman magazine. Nayla and another 7 UAE national Women were nominated for their contribution in fashion, entertainment and the arts in the region (2005)
- Won the Emirates Woman Best Local Artist Award (2005)
- 'The Youngest Entrepreneur' of the year in 2005 at the Global Businesswomen & Leaders Summit Awards.
- The only national to be featured in Ahlan's Hot 100 for three consecutive years. This magazine was issued in 2005 and featured the top 100 personalities of UAE.
- Won a Kodak grant with her team to produce a super 16mm film. This grant was used to produce the movie The Loss, which was released in Canada (2004).
- Won the Action Cut Award in New Jersey, USA (2003)
References
- ↑ Peck, Malcolm C. (2010). The A to Z of the Gulf Arab States. Scarecrow Press. p. 34. ISBN 0810876361.
- ↑ Sahoo, Sananda. "Family businessman ready for Hollywood". The National.
- ↑ Maey El Shoush. "Second chance to enrol in acting workshops". Gulf News.
- ↑ "Most powerful Arab women". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07.
- 1 2 http://www.naylaalkhaja.com