Nayla Al Khaja is the first female film director in the UAE and a trailblazer in Middle Eastern cinema. With over 15 years leading productions, she excels in culturally authentic storytelling and global film collaborations. Founder of Nayla Al Khaja Films, she has two titles streaming on Netflix—The Shadow and Animal—and completed her debut feature Three, released in 2024. Her upcoming fantasy-horror BAAB will feature an original score by two-time Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. She is also Executive Producer of The Alexandria Killings, directed by Oscar winner Terry George. Fluent in five languages and Gulf dialects, Nayla has directed campaigns for Nike, Mercedes, and Nestlé, bridging regional nuance with international appeal. A London Speakers Bureau presenter, she advocates for women in film and has been recognized at global festivals for her contribution to the arts.