The panel titled “Women in Drama and Cinema” at the Arab Media Summit’s forum on films and video games served not just as a discussion about women’s representation in artistic works, but as a genuine platform to embody a new reality fostered by women-led cinema in the Arab world. This initiative, launched in collaboration with Netflix and “Afaq,” is named “Short Film Lab for Emerging Female Filmmakers.”
Participants
The session, hosted by the Dubai Media Council, featured Reema Massmar, the executive director of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture “Afaq,” and Blaine Meffley from Netflix. They shared a striking experience aimed at empowering women in the realms of directing and production by training 20 talented young women from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait.
In her comments to a news outlet, Massmar explained that the “Short Film Lab” is not merely a training program; it represents a true laboratory for renewing perspectives and re-examining creative projects presented by women from their unique viewpoints regarding their identities, their relationships with others, and the societal issues they face daily.
She added, “During the session, we screened five short films featuring 25 women involved at every stage of the process—from writing to directing to editing, showcasing the vibrancy and authenticity of this experience.”
Massmar emphasized that what the film industry in the region lacks is not just financial support but also a spirit of collaboration among artists and institutions. She praised the compassionate role played by the trainers during the program, noting that the training process requires “generosity, love, and the ability to guide each content creator through their project until the very end.”
Rasha Al-Aun, a cinematographer for all five films, described the experience as one of the most rewarding in her career. She stated, “I worked with women from diverse ages and cultural backgrounds, ensuring not to impose any restrictions, but rather allowing each director the freedom to express her vision and the context of her film.”
Real-Life Stories
The showcase of the five films highlighted a bold diversity in themes and approaches, featuring the film “No Trace of Horizon,” written and directed by Iman Khalifa, produced by Zainab Abdelaziz, with cinematography by Tara Al-Khass and editing by Rogena Tarek. They affirmed that the experience provided them with a valuable opportunity to explore various perspectives and treatments, underscoring that Afaq’s support helped them craft their stories professionally without compromising their identities.
“No Trace of Horizon” intertwines feelings of alienation and longing through the story of a mother waiting for her immigrant son, Omar, who fled from war. She struggles to maintain her composure through intermittent phone calls that neither ease her pain nor lessen the burden of waiting.
The second film, titled “Salam’s Goal,” depicts the story of a girl named Salma, an avid football player in an Arab community who faces bullying and rejection for daring to play with boys in the street. When neighbors see her, they blame her mother, considering it inappropriate for girls to play outdoors.
Meanwhile, “Another Place,” written and directed by Haya Al-Ghanem and produced by Raghd Bajba, tells the story of a teenage girl, while “About Their Ghosts” dives into an elderly woman’s isolation due to Alzheimer’s disease, living in a stifling environment of scattered memories and heavy emptiness, accompanied by a young nurse seeking meaning in family and belonging amidst a fragile balance between past and present.
Lastly, “Revolution of Anger,” directed by Aisha Shahaltoog, narrates the tale of two sisters subjected to violence.
A Space for Self-Expression
This initiative, part of the “Netflix Fund for Creative Talent,” unfolded over five months and included training, production, and editing stages, along with consultative sessions on screenwriting and directing. The experience culminated in a special film screening at an event held alongside the Arab Media Summit.
This session exemplified the critical importance of empowering Arab women in the film industry as directors and narrators of stories that may otherwise remain untold in a rapidly changing reality, where audiences are increasingly open to hearing their voices.