Constantly in demand, and constantly working, the UAE’s first ever female film director has been as busy as ever.
Not only does she have five short films under her belt, and not only has she launched her own production company, D-SEVEN, Nayla Al Khaja is also part of the Reel Dubai filmmaking competition, helping six shortlisted contestants turn their cinematic dreams into reality. A graduate from Dubai Women’s College, and Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, Al Khaja’s films touch on taboo topics, such as arranged marriages, child abuse, and secret dating in the UAE. Having to fight the wishes of her parents, who did not want her to become a filmmaker, Al Khaja is now an award-winner several times over, including the Emirates Woman Award, which she collected a decade ago.
