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Arab News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Mideast content creators unveil bold short films in collaboration with YouTube
DUBAI: Some of the region's most celebrated content creators — including Bahrain's Omar Farooq, the UAE's Anas Bukhash, Morocco's Taha Essou, Palestine's Haifa Beseisso and Egypt's Sherif Nabil — have premiered powerful short films in collaboration with YouTube to mark the platform's 20th anniversary. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ 'For years, creating and distributing entertainment was limited to major studios. Today, we're at an inflection point — YouTube creators are the entertainment industry's new startups,' said Tarek Amin, YouTube's regional director for the Middle East, Africa and Turkiye, during the premiere in Dubai this weekend. These creators, who amass billions of views across their channels, showcased deeply personal stories that transcend borders and languages, highlighting YouTube's role as a platform for emotional storytelling and global connection. The shift reflects a wider trend across the region with YouTube creators across the Middle East and North Africa rapidly becoming entertainment startups. Companies such as Telfaz11, which has offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have scaled from popular YouTube series to successful feature films. Bukhash's signature charm and curiosity is reflected in his film 'ABtalks Diaries: Korea Edition.' The work follows him on a journey through South Korea where he interviews chefs, artists, and members of the public. Despite a glaring language barrier, Bukhash draws out surprisingly intimate moments, proving that vulnerability is a universal language. 'We did this because we realized Arabs are obsessed with K-Pop,' Bukhash joked on stage. In 'Into the Dark,' Beseisso documents her four-day stay in a darkness retreat. Blending humor and reflection, her film becomes a deeply personal meditation on silence, emotion and reconnection — with herself and others. 'I heard about the darkness retreat from a friend and was intrigued,' she told Arab News. 'I went, closed my eyes for three days, and it turned out to be one of my favorite experiences.' In 'Into the Fire: Mount Ijen,' Nabil documents the harsh realities of sulfur miners working in Indonesia's active volcanic mountain. He exposes the conditions these workers face and the generational impact of their labor. 'YouTube gives you that intimacy,' Nabil said. 'It's a challenge, but it's rewarding.' The connection between these filmmakers lies in their ability to confront discomfort, explore untold stories, and share them with candor. 'This event is not for us,' Bukhash reflected. 'It's for the people at home wondering if they should start, and need that extra push.'
Web Release
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
MENA's new entertainment startups: YouTube creators on the silver screen
YouTube hosted a red-carpet screening today of upcoming releases for five content creators from across the Middle East and North Africa at Roxy Cinemas in Dubai. The premiere screening, Cinema YouTube, is part of YouTube's 20th anniversary celebrations and marks an inflection point in the creator economy as more content creators across the Middle East and North Africa cement their position as the new startups of entertainment and film. The Premiere YouTube creators included Bahrain's Omar Farooq, the UAE's Anas Bukhash, Morocco's Taha Essou, Palestine's Haifa Beseisso and Egyptian Sherif Nabil all amassing millions of views on YouTube and creating jobs through their work. The premiere content ranges from documentaries, to personal stories, set in Japan, Morocco, and Indonesia. 'We're in a new era of entertainment, and YouTube creators are at the epicenter. They've reimagined classic TV formats, like talk shows and challenges, and invented entirely new ones. They've evolved their channels into full-fledged media companies, producing high-quality content that is watched across all screens, all while creating jobs for people in the creative industry. Today, we are celebrating these prolific storytellers and their groundbreaking careers, showcasing the future of entertainment.' said Tarek Amin, Director of YouTube Middle East, Turkey and Africa. The shift reflects a wider trend across the creators across the Middle East and North Africa are rapidly becoming entertainment startups. Companies like Telfaz11 have scaled from popular YouTube series to successful feature films, even fostering new talent in Saudi cinema. Individual creators like Ahmed Al Nasheet now run full-fledged operations with dedicated teams. Similarly, Omar Farooq evolved from solo vlogging to launching 'Atanafas,' a production company employing 20 people, creating diverse content for clients across MENA. A red carpet kicked-off Cinema YouTube, followed by a fan meetup for more than 100 fans who will have the opportunity to watch the screenings and interact with their favourite creators. The works premiered at Cinema YouTube included: Escaping the Future by Omar Farouq (7.8M subscribers): This captivating documentary takes viewers on a journey through Japan, delving into profound themes of life, technology, and loneliness. It offers a unique exploration of contemporary existence through Omar's distinctive lens, demonstrating how far creators have come from simple vlogging to elaborate, award winning productions. ABtalks Diaries Korea Edition by Anas Bukhash Heritage by Taha Essou (2.59M subscribers) : A powerful documentary that uncovers the inspiring underdog story and enduring impact of Moroccan icon Haj Rahal Essoulami, Taha's late grandfather. As the founder of Africa's leading caterer, his life is intimately explored through the cherished memories of his family and those whose lives he touched, showcasing a deep dive into cultural heritage. (2.59M subscribers) A powerful documentary that uncovers the inspiring underdog story and enduring impact of Moroccan icon Haj Rahal Essoulami, Taha's late grandfather. As the founder of Africa's leading caterer, his life is intimately explored through the cherished memories of his family and those whose lives he touched, showcasing a deep dive into cultural heritage. Into the Dark by Haifa Beseisso (of Fly with Haifa (of Into the Fire: Mount Ijen by Sherif Nabil (644K subscribers): This investigative documentary exposes the perilous daily lives of sulfur miners in Indonesia's Mount Ijen volcano. Sherif takes viewers to where miners descend into toxic fumes with minimal protection to extract sulfur, challenging global indifference to hazardous and often forgotten labor in the 21st century. Most of the films will be released on the creators channels in the coming weeks. YouTube has billions of monthly logged-in users and every day people watch billions of hours of video and generate billions of views. The company also recently announced that on average, viewers are watching over one billion hours of YouTube content on televisions daily. As of May of 2024, YouTube reached 12 million people on connected TV in Saudi Arabia, 2.5 million in the United Arab Emirates & 600,000 in Qatar.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Nothing will prevent Saudi success, says UK social media influencer
RIYADH: British content creator and social influencer John bin London has said he is amazed at the resilience of Saudi Arabia and its people and believes nothing will stop the Kingdom's success. Bin London, a native of Nottingham, England, who grew up in Abu Dhabi, was the first guest on the seventh season of The Mayman Show. He expressed his admiration of the Saudi people and the Kingdom's rapid transformation. 'Saudis have a 'nothing will stop us or will get in our way and we will succeed' (attitude),' he said. 'This is something that I saw within the people.' He added that whether it was Telfaz 11 — a creative media studio led by an enthusiastic team of storytellers and social influencers — or students he met from small Saudi villages who had traveled to the UK to obtain university degrees, everyone seemed to have a 'never quit' mentality. Bin London also used the partial privatization of oil giant Saudi Aramco as a prime example of the Kingdom's flourishing economy potential and appeal. The initial public offering saw 100 percent of the shares transferred to the Public Investment Fund. Some 95 percent remained with the sovereign wealth fund, with the other 5 percent floated to private investors. 'The economics say, 'Oh this is not going to work, and if it fails this and that,' and then in a few years, what did we see? We saw a growth of 150 percent,' said bin London. He also highlighted NEOM's The Line project. Built on 34 sq. km, it will eventually accommodate 9 million people with a reduced infrastructure footprint, creating new methods of efficiency. 'I remember, not long ago, people doubted The Line and then suddenly they saw the trucks going in, and The Line being built, this shut them up,' he said. Bin London's view of Saudi perseverance did not just come from observing projects and financial deals, however. He firmly believes that success comes from the people behind it — starting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: 'I think it was obvious to everyone who was following and paying attention what was going to happen in this country.' The influencer, who is fluent in Arabic and has also mastered the Najdi Arabic dialect, creates content in the language to advocate for the opportunities offered in the land he has decided to make his home. 'I started picking up on vocabulary, pronunciation, from their dialects. It was, I guess, an unconscious thing,' he said. 'It was just who you hear around you, how they speak. You start copying it and then later on a lot of my friends were from the Otaibi tribe, which … spreads from Taif, Hijaz and into Najd.' The Briton lauds many Saudi tourist destinations but says Diriyah, the Kingdom's birthplace and home of At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will always have a special place in his heart. 'Diriyah is one of my favorite places. It was somewhere that before my first visit to Saudi Arabia, which was in the end of 2022, I literally dreamt about visiting. It's the jewel of the Kingdom, it's the place of the Al-Saud family, who created this country. I used to watch the videos and see the pictures and I want(ed) to visit the museums, like it was literally a dream, so much so that the first time I came I woke up super early — and I'm not a morning person — with excitement to go visit Diriyah,' he said. The excitement of that visit, he recalled, meant he spent an entire day wandering around and taking in the depth of history and captivating surroundings.
Arab News
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi filmmaker Ali Kalthami, Kuwaiti photographer Abdullah Alshayji give iPhone photography workshop in Riyadh
RIYADH: Photography enthusiasts in Riyadh had the opportunity to refine their skills at an exclusive iPhone photography workshop on March 5 at Sima Creative Space. The event, organized in celebration of Ramadan, featured renowned Kuwaiti photographer Abdullah Alshayji and acclaimed Saudi film director Ali Kalthami, offering attendees a unique learning experience. A post shared by Abdullah Alshayji (@shaijieee) The workshop explored the advanced features of iPhone photography, equipping participants with innovative techniques to enhance their social media content. The event fostered a dynamic and collaborative environment, bringing together creatives eager to develop their visual storytelling skills. One of the highlights of the workshop was Kalthami's talk on his recent experience filming an iPhone advertisement. Speaking to Arab News, he recalled his initial surprise when tasked with directing the project using an iPhone 16 Pro instead of traditional camera equipment. Kalthami said: 'When I was assigned to create the iPhone ad I asked about the camera lenses, and they told me I would be using the iPhone 16 Pro instead.' He noted that the smartphone's compact size helped create a more relaxed atmosphere on set, adding: 'The actors acted naturally, which made the filming process enjoyable.' Kalthami — known for his film 'Mandoob' and as the co-founder of Telfaz11 — expressed enthusiasm for integrating iPhone technology into future projects, particularly those requiring a raw, immersive feel. He said: 'Using the iPhone is much more convenient than heavy camera equipment as it can be easily placed anywhere. Some projects benefit from an organic feel, which the iPhone can deliver.' A post shared by Abdullah Alshayji (@shaijieee) He also shared insights into the preproduction process, revealing that the ad was filmed in the desert during the golden hour to achieve a cinematic aesthetic. To maximize the capabilities of the iPhone, he incorporated professional filmmaking tools such as a large monitor and stabilizer, proving that smartphone technology can deliver high-quality results. Alshayji led hands-on demonstrations, showcasing the iPhone camera's features and sharing expert tips on capturing high-quality images. Using models and objects, he guided participants through techniques to elevate their photography skills, ensuring they left the workshop with practical knowledge to apply to their creative pursuits.
Campaign ME
10-02-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
JCDecaux appoints new Head of Sales in Abu Dhabi
The JCDecaux Abu Dhabi team has appointed Imad Hechaime as its Head of Sales. Hechaime brings more than more than 18 years of experience from media agencies in Dubai. In his new role, Hechaime will spearhead airport advertising sales, broaden and diversify the company's portfolio, introduce innovative campaigns and drive the evolution of outdoor media in the region. Commenting on the appointment, JCDecaux Abu Dhabi's Managing Director, Wissam Zaatar, said, 'We are delighted to welcome Imad to the team. His passion for the industry and extensive media expertise make him the ideal choice as JCDecaux Abu Dhabi starts a new commercial chapter'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JCDecaux Middle East (@jcdecaux_me) Previously, Hechaime served as the Commercial Director at Telfaz11, a Saudi Arabia and UAE-based content production and creative agency, specialising in locally-relevant entertainment content from the Middle East. At Telfaz11, he founded and led the agency's commercial department, from hiring to leadership across both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He not only oversaw all branded integrations and product placements within the agency's content, as per agreed specifications and contractual agreements, but also built and maintained strong relationships with media agencies in Saudi and UAE to drive revenue and foster partnerships. Hechaime also initiated the launch of merchandise for Telfaz11's flagship IPs and contributed to outsourcing suppliers and developing the pricing strategy. Echoing the excitement at JCDecaux Abu Dhabi, Hechaime commented on his appoinment, saying, 'I am thrilled about this opportunity and eager to embark on this journey in a market with immense potential like Abu Dhabi, representing the world leader in OOH advertising JCDecaux'. As Head of Sales, he aims to advance JCDecaux Abu Dhabi's vision of growth and innovation, reinforcing the company's position as a leading outdoor advertising provider in the region.
