Nayla Al Khaja

Nayla Al Khaja is a renowned filmmaker and director, who made headlines as the United Arab Emirates' first female film director. As an acclaimed film director, Nayla is esteemed for being the Founder and former CEO of both D-Seven Motion Pictures and The Scene Club. With a distinguished career in cinematography to her name, Nayla is also now sought after as a motivational speaker, focussing on the power of storytelling, cinema economy, the power of film and her stature as an inspirational woman who has broken gender barriers in male-dominated fields.

Following education in Mass Communications and Filmmaking at the Dubai Women’s College and Ryerson University, Nayla embarked on her career as a filmmaker, becoming the Founder and CEO of D-SEVEN Motion Pictures. Sitting at the helm of the full-service production company, Nayla produced a variety of feature films, promotional films, animations and TV commercials for various prestigious clients – such as KPMG, Mercedes Benz, Canon, LG and Nike to name but a few. Two years later, Nayla became the Founder and CEO of The Scene Club. This dedicated monthly film club highlighted the best of international independent film and hosted notable directors from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Most recently, Nayla has committed her craft to being an Executive Producer and Film Director for Nayla Al Khaja Films.

With such a decorated career as the UAE’s first female film director, Nayla has claimed countless accolades in reward for her talent. Some of her most prominent awards include being named one of the 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40 on the Arabian Business Power List, one of the 50 Most Powerful Arab Women and one of the 500 Most Powerful Arab People. She has also been honoured with the Muhr Emirati Special Jury Award, the Best Short Film Award from the Middle East Now Festival Florence, the Best Female Filmmaker Award at the Dubai International Film Festival, the Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Middle East Businesswoman and Leaders Achievements Awards, the Lloyds TSB Bank Inspirational Leadership Award and the Youngest Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Global Businesswoman and Leaders Summit Awards. Her acclaimed films have also won countless awards, such as the first Dubai International Film Festival Award and the Production of the Year Digital Studio Award for “Malal”.

With an extraordinary true-life story to share, Nayla is highly sought after as a motivational speaker based on her stature as the first female filmmaker in the UAE. Fluent in both English and Arabic, Nayla is the perfect speaker for a diverse array of audiences, travelling the globe to deliver her craft as a motivational speaker. Throughout her career as a motivational speaker, Nayla has made it her mission to tackle taboo subjects, such as breaking down the Arab women stereotype and gender balance in male-dominated fields - evident in her powerful TEDx Talk Women and the Arab Cinema. She also empowers female audiences on how to stand out in male-dominated sectors, through her detailed speaking topic of breaking barriers and facing your own fears. In addition to her prominence as an inspirational female speaker, Nayla is also adept at discussing the film industry, covering everything from the cinema economy to the power of film scenes and film financing. When looking for a motivational speaker with an engaging and inspirational story to share, hire Nayla Al Khaja today.