Nayla Al Khaja’s BAAB Becomes First Emirati Female-Directed Feature at Cairo Film Festival
Through its bold psychological narrative and international collaboration, BAAB positions Nayla Al Khaja at the forefront of a new wave in Emirati cinema
Visionary filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, the UAE’s first female director and producer, has unveiled her latest feature film BAAB, a female-led dark psychological drama that transforms the haunting nature of grief into a surreal and sensory exploration of the human psyche. Supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture’s National Grant for Culture and Creativity and produced by Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, the film marks a cultural milestone as the first Emirati feature by a woman to premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival, one of the Arab world’s most prestigious cinematic institutions and the only FIAPF A-category festival in the region.
“To stand in Cairo as the first Emirati woman with a feature in the festival’s history is more than symbolic; it marks a turning point in how the region receives Emirati cinema,” said Nayla Al Khaja. “BAAB is not built on spectacle, but on psychological excavation through sound, silence, and what remains unseen. None of this would have been possible without Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki’s steadfast vision and faith; his support has been exceptional and I am deeply grateful.”
Set in the remote mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, BAAB follows a woman haunted by the loss of her twin sister. Her grief manifests through a persistent ringing in her ears – a psychological and sonic thread that unravels her sense of reality. As she drifts between memory and imagination, the film blurs the boundary between life and death, transforming silence into an emotional language and the desert into a landscape of the mind.
Al Khaja has assembled an impressive international team to bring this vision to life. Two-time Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman, composing his first-ever score for an Arabic film, creates a soundscape that binds emotion to rhythm and memory to sound. Meanwhile, acclaimed cinematographer Rogier Stoffers, ASC, NSC (Quills, School of Rock, Mongol), captures the raw contrasts of light and shadow across the rugged terrain, creating imagery that feels both intimate and epic. Together, they craft a film that is as visually arresting as it is emotionally profound.
Produced by Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Nayla Al Khaja, and Jude S. Walko under Dark Dunes Productions, BAAB is a bold collaboration that bridges Emirati storytelling with global cinematic craft. Filmed entirely on location in the UAE, the production brought together more than 140 artists and technicians, including over 20 Emiratis across key creative departments – a testament to the country’s growing film talent.
Following its world premiere in Cairo, BAAB will embark on a wide MENA theatrical rollout in early 2026 through VOX Distribution, marking one of the largest regional releases ever for an independently financed Emirati feature.
With BAAB, Nayla Al Khaja pushes the boundaries of Emirati cinema, delivering a film that is bold, emotionally resonant, and deeply human. This milestone further cements her role in shaping the nation’s creative voice, offering a cinematic vision that captures the soul of the region.
For more information, visit ciff.or.eg
Images: Supplied