Future of Arabic in TV, Film & YouTube | Amanda Abou Abdallah, Rana Kazkaz and Hussein Fakhri
"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 podcast. Past guest Ibrahim Abusharif moderated the first panel with experts Amanda Abou Abdallah, Rana Kazkaz, and Hussein Fakhri who come from leading media organizations. They explored the evolving role of the Arabic language across diverse media platforms, covering a variety of critical topics including the evolution of Arabic content creation, the issues in needing to humanize Arab narratives, the impact of censorship, the future of Arabic language in media, and the importance of developing original and authentic Arab stories. They highlight the potential for growth and the need for a robust infrastructure to support original content creation from the Arab world.
Amanda Abdallah is the founder and creative chief of Khateera, a platform dedicated to supporting Arab women on their journey to self-realization. She has over 14 years of experience as a director and media strategist. Her diverse portfolio includes edutainment shows, commercials, fiction shorts, docu-series, and transformative social change campaigns. Her work has reached over half a billion views, leaving an indelible mark on the regional content landscape.
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Explore 👉 Khateera
Hussein Fakhri is the Chief Commercial Officer at Katara Studios, where he plays a pivotal role in driving growth and shaping the studio's creative impact on the entertainment industry. He began his career in advertising technology and digital marketing, honing his expertise in innovative strategies. He went on to establish successful ventures in advertising, film production, and talent services in Doha, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader in the creative industries.
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Explore 👉 Katara Studios
Rana Kazkaz is a filmmaker and associate professor in residence at Northwestern University Qatar. Her films have been recognized at the world’s leading festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Tallinn, Tribeca, and Abu Dhabi. With a focus on Syrian stories, her producing, screenwriting, and directing portfolio includes The Translator, Mare Nostrum, Deaf Day, and Kemo Sabe. She is a member of the Académie des César and was awarded fellowships with the Buffett Institute, MacDowell and the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women.
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Hosted by 👉 Ibrahim N. Abusharif
Watch our episode with Ibrahim
Ibrahim Abusharif is an associate professor in Journalism and Strategic Communication, specializing in narrative journalism, religious studies, and storytelling decolonization. His research focuses on religion and media intersections, digital disruptions, and the framing of Middle Eastern and Muslim narratives in Western journalism. His work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and more, and he has edited over 30 books and translated Islamic texts.
Media Majlis Museum Podcast
Welcome to the Media Majlis Museum Podcast powered by afikra, a series where we explore the intersection of language, culture, and identity, inspired by the exhibition "The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World" at the Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar.
