Tropfest Arabia, the new Arabic version of the worlds largest short film festival, has announced that filmmaker, Nayla Al Khaja, will represent the UAE on the judging Panel. Actor Ahmed Helmy, will support Tropfest founder, John Polson, as co-director. The inaugural Tropfest Arabia film festival, will be staged in front of a live audience in […]
Tropfest Arabia, the new Arabic version of the worlds largest short film festival, has announced that filmmaker, Nayla Al Khaja, will represent the UAE on the judging Panel. Actor Ahmed Helmy, will support Tropfest founder, John Polson, as co-director.
The inaugural Tropfest Arabia film festival, will be staged in front of a live audience in Abu Dhabi on 4,November 2011.
Joining Nayla Al Khaja on the judging panel will be well-known actors, filmmakers and directors from across the Middle East, including Saudi film maker and actress Ahd Kamel and the director Mamdouh Salem; Lebanese film maker and actress, Nadine Labaki; co-founder and director of Lebanese web series Shankaboot, Amin Dora; Egyptian producer and scriptwriter, Mohammed Hefzy and Tropfest Australia 2011 winner, Damon Gameau.
Commenting on the announcement, John Polson, founder of Tropfest stated: I could not be more excited about the fantastic line up for the inaugural Tropfest Arabia. Judging the festival will be some of the most celebrated and inspirational actors, directors and short filmmakers from across the region. Tropfest Arabias aim is to offer aspiring filmmakers a platform to showcase their films and this is why it is essential that we have the credibility of a team that completely understands the regions film industry.
Nayla Al Khaja is the first female film producer from the United Arab Emirates and the CEO of D-SEVEN Motion Pictures. In 2010, her script Malal won the Best Script Award at the Gulf International Film Festival, and she also won first place in the Muhr Emirati category at the Dubai International Film Festival 2010. In 2007 Nayla won the award for Best Emirati Director in Dubai International Film Festival.
Ahmed Helmy is best known for his comedic acting and has been a major player in the Egyptian mainstream media since 1999, starring in films like Omar 2000; Galteny Mogremen; Keda Reda; Asef Ala EL Ezaag and Assal Eswed. His role in Egyptian cinema and popularity across the Middle East.
