We delve into the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the region, the importance of authentic, locally rooted narratives, and the critical role of institutions like the Doha Film Institute in fostering emerging talent. Award-winning filmmaker and associate professor at Northwestern Qatar, Rana Kazkaz, offers a glimpse into her current project "The Hakawati's ... Show More
Oct 26
Ottoman Environmental History, Sultan Selim's Ambition, & NYC's First "Muslim" | Prof. Alan Mikhail
We know about Islam in America, but what about America in Islam? Yale historian Alan Mikhail unpacks Sultan Selim I, the thuggish sultan who wrote bad poetry yet conquered the Arab world in 1516–17 and, Mikhail argues, changed the course of world history. From the water buffalo t ... Show More
52m 35s
Oct 19
Architecture & Identity in the Gulf | Sumaya Dabbagh, Award Winning Architect
Shaping space goes far beyond physical structures, it deeply impacts people's lives and connects to the human spirit. Renowned, award-winning Saudi architect Sumaya Dabbagh shares her journey navigating the evolving architectural landscape of the Gulf, shifting away from commerci ... Show More
48m 31s
Oct 12
Marie al-Khazen: Pioneer Lebanese Photographer, 1899 to 1983 | Art Historian, Dr. Yasmine Nachabe Taan
A collection of black-and-white photographs from 1920s mandate Lebanon completely flips traditional regional history on its head. Dr. Yasmine Nachabe Taan takes us on a fascinating journey behind her PhD research into the life and legacy of Marie al-Khazen, a pioneer Lebanese pho ... Show More
1 h
Dec 2024
Future of Arabic in TV, Film & YouTube | Amanda Abou Abdallah, Rana Kazkaz and Hussein Fakhri
<p>We organized a full-day symposium (October 26, 2024) with the mm:museum as part of their exhibition "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" at Northwestern Qatar this year. Three panel discussions took place which we are bringing you in three episodes on their p ... Show More
1h 16m
Nov 2024
Reorienting the Middle East: Film and Digital Media Where the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean Meet | Alia Yunis
Discover cinema from the Gulf from its beginnings to the present day. Filmmaker Alia Yunis draws on her rich knowledge of the Arab Gulf’s cinema to give us a full picture of the scene's early days, its current state and what is anticipated for its future. Rejecting the widely hel ... Show More
58m 7s
Sep 2025
Storytelling: A Common Thread of Humanity | Fatima Al-Banawi 160
A Saudi storyteller, actor, writer, and director whose work blends art with social impact, Fatima is the founder of Alf Wad Production House and The Other Story Project, initiatives that have transformed storytelling into a tool for cultural dialogue and community building.Her br ... Show More
2h 3m
Oct 2024
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Sahar Khraibani
In this episode of Khatt Chronicles, Yasmine Nachabe Taan interviews Lebanese design writer and critic, Sahar Khraibani. They discuss her journey into the field of design writing through graphic design and illustration. Together, they unpack the importance of design and critical ... Show More
36m 49s
Jul 2023
Egyptian Director Haya Khairat on Her Special Encouragement Award From the Cannes Film Festival
Being a director, winning the Angénieux Encouragement Award at Cannes, navigating the film industry, and differences between working on ads, TV and cinema: award-winning Egyptian director Haya Khairat gives us an insider view on life behind the camera. In conversation with Mikey, ... Show More
1h 8m
Apr 2025
The Untold Stories of Palestine | Farah Nabulsi, Director of The Teacher & The Present
In this episode of Kawalis, we welcome Farah Nabulsi, the acclaimed director and writer behind films like "The Teacher" and the BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated "The Present." Nabulsi shares her powerful journey from her career in finance to filmmaking, highlighting her profound ... Show More
1h 13m
Oct 2022
Ep 2 - Netflix, Boundaries and Film in the Arab world
In this episode I explore the world of film in the Arab world and talk to directors and producers who are pushing the boundaries. I speak to Jordan’s Tima Shomali, director of an Arabic language original Netflix series Al Rawabi School for Girls, a huge hit about teenage girls an ... Show More
46m 20s
Nov 2019
Khatt Chronicles in Conversation With Joan Baz
Khatt interviews Joan Baz, designer, illustrator, and animator about her professional journey and process as an illustrator and animator. Baz discusses her involvement with Waraq, an interdisciplinary collective focused on creating projects that activated public space in experime ... Show More
18m 11s