Amal Al-Agroobi : an documentary filmmaker, director, producer and writer
Early Life:
- Background: Amal Al-Agroobi is an Emirati filmmaker born to a Syrian mother and an Emirati father from Sharjah.
- Education: She completed her BSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Durham and an MSc in Neurosciences from University College London.
- Career Transition: After working as a laboratory technician in Abu Dhabi, Al-Agroobi shifted her focus to the cinema industry, enrolling in a media training program.
Career Highlights:
- Directorial Debut: Al-Agroobi made her directorial debut with the short documentary “Half Emirati” in 2012, which premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival and was nominated for Best Film.
- Production Company: She is the founder and owner of the production company ALAGROOBI Films, through which she has produced many of her films.
- Documentary Work: Her projects often focus on contemporary Arab stories, cultural intersections, and strengthening connections between the Arab world and the West.
- Notable Films:
- “Half Emirati”: A documentary about Emirati children of mixed cultures facing challenges.
- “The Brain That Sings”: This movie received the Emirates NBD People’s Choice Award at the Dubai International Film Festival.
- “Climb of Hope”: A goodwill documentary for The PCRF charity released in 2015.
- “Under the Hat”: Her first fictional narrative short film released in 2016, exploring the story of a mosque prayer caller and a vocalist.
- “Vanish In Smoke” (2019): Her first sci-fi short film, set in an advanced world where aging minds can be reversed.
- “The Protocol” (2021): Another sci-fi film exploring the effects of an expensive medicine on life expectancy.
- “Ladies Coffee”: Al-Agroobi’s latest work, currently in post-production, delves into the horror genre and Arabic folklore such as coffee-cup reading.
Recognition and Publications:
- Awards: Her films have received critical acclaim, with “Under the Hat” winning the Doha Film Institute grant for short movies.
- Books: Al-Agroobi’s life story was featured in the book “Those Who Inspire” showcasing inspiring Emiratis, and later in “Emirati Woman Achievers” where she shared her inspirational story in the Middle East.
Amal Al-Agroobi’s career spans a diverse range of genres, from documentaries to sci-fi, often focusing on cultural themes and human experiences, earning her recognition both locally and internationally.