Nayla Al Khaja’s BAAB Makes History As The First Emirati Feature By A Female Director To Premiere At The Cairo International Film Festival

Visionary filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, the first female Emirati director and producer, unveils her new 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 backed by renowned Producer Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, the film represents a cultural milestone and is set to make history as the first Emirati feature by a female to premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival; one of the Arab world’s most prestigious and long-standing cinematic institutions and the only FIAPF A category Arab film festival.

Following its world premiere in Cairo, BAAB marks a defining moment for the UAE’s evolving filmmaking movement, solidifying its role in shaping the nation’s creative identity. The recognition from Cairo underscores the growing maturity and ambition of the UAE’s independent cinema, as local voices continue to push the boundaries of regional storytelling.

“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.” says 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.”

A Psychological Journey Through Grief

Set in the remote mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, BAAB follows a woman haunted by the loss of her twin sister. Tormented by the persistent sound of tinnitus, she begins to drift between memory and imagination as grief reshapes her perception of reality. The film blurs the boundary between life and death, turning silence into an emotional language and the desert into a landscape of the mind.

World-Class Creative Collaboration & Global Craft 

BAAB brings together an exceptional international team led by two-time Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman, composing his first-ever score for an Arabic film, and cinematographer Rogier Stoffers, ASC, NSC (Quills, School of Rock, Mongol). Rahman’s score binds sound to sorrow, while Stoffers’ cinematography captures the contrasts of light and shadow with sculptural precision. Together, they craft a cinematic experience that feels both intimate and epic.

Produced by Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Nayla Al Khaja, and Jude S. Walko, with Dark Dunes Productions leading the production, the film stands as a landmark collaboration between Emirati storytellers and renowned international artists, bridging regional heritage with contemporary global filmmaking.

An Emirati Production with Global Ambition

Filmed entirely on location in the UAE, BAAB brought together over 140 artists and technicians, including more than 20 Emiratis across key creative departments.

Following its festival premieres, BAAB will enter a wide MENA theatrical rollout in early 2026 through VOX Distribution, setting a record as one of the broadest regional releases for an independently financed Emirati feature.

With each milestone, BAAB reinforces the power of Emirati storytelling; a world-class production that captures the soul of the region and paves the way for a new era of filmmaking in the UAE.