‘Nayla Al Khaja: Animal and The Neighbor’

Hosted by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and the European Union, this exclusive screening will celebrate the remarkable achievements of Emirati women in art, marking Emirati Women's Day.

We will be joined by Director and Producer Nayla Al Khaja, the UAE's first female filmmaker, and the first Emirati to have a project accepted by the Cannes Film Festival's Producers' network with her film Animal.

Nayla, a motivational speaker on women's empowerment and the film industry, will share her experiences as a director and as a woman in the industry, before exclusive screenings of her short films Animal and The Neighbor, and a Q&A.

Animal, a semi-autobiographical film, tells the story of a seven year-old girl living under the iron fist of her father in a home full of contradictions. The Neighbor follows a young woman looking to start a new life in Dubai following a tragedy, and a visitor who changes her life. These two groundbreaking films will provide unique insight into Emirati culture and Nayla herself.

The event will be followed by drinks and canapés. The Embassy’s proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to charity.