SPEAKERS

  • Adbulsattar Al-Naji

    Adbulsattar Al-Naji is Participating in several events throughout the week, including as narrator of the Al Shakoor Award event. Abdulsatter is a renowned Arts commentator at An-Nahar Newspaper. Al-Naji is a veteran journalist with over 30 years of experience as a critic and contest judge. He has worked in multiple countries and written for several publications. He is the founder of the Arab critics’ Award at the Cannes Film Festival and author of three books on cinema, with a fourth under development, which features each of the award winners and their careers.

  • Shaikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah

    Bestowing the Al Shakoor Award is Shaikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, who is also an active filmmaker and social entrepreneur. Al-Zain has produced and/or directed several award-winning news stories, feature films, short films, and public service announcements. She holds a BS in Journalism from Boston University and an MFA in Film the University of Southern California.

  • Fahad Al-Alaiwa

    Fahad Al-Alaiwa is  a young Kuwaiti writer who started out in radio. He later moved to TV series and quickly earned the opportunity to work with such known actors as Haya AbdulSalam, Mahmoud Boushehri, Fuad Ali, Abdullah Boushahri, and others. In addition to Sahr Al Lail, his recent work includes the series Qabil Lil Kasir which showcases a high-caliber cast.  

  • Jassim Al-Nabhan

    Jassim Al-Nabhan is a prominent Kuwaiti actor known for his diverse roles in nearly 100 different productions, including such programs as Sahar al lail, haami al deyaar, and ali baba. With nearly 50 years of industry experience, Jassim has built a distinguished career that serves as a role model for new generations of actors. 

  • Basma Hamada

    Basma Hamada is a famous Kuwaiti actress who started her career at the age of 5 on the renowned children’s show Mama Aneesa. In addition to her role in Sahr Al Lail, Basma has featured in over 50 productions during her illustrious career and is adding new credits to her name every year.

  • Ali Najim

    Ali Najim is a well-known Kuwaiti radio personality, as well as a former student and employee of the Gulf University for Science and Technology. Ali is known for his passion and determination on radio, as he demonstrated to the country after winning the opportunity to host a show entitled Enta Al Mouthe’e on Marina FM, at the young age of 16. Since then, Ali’s shows have grown with him as he has hosted such programs as Refresh, Harakat, and the Ghabgha Show.

  • Khaled Ameen

    Khaled Ameen, is a Kuwaiti actor who began his career in the TV series Qased Khair. He has stared in several films and TV series, including Wasmiya Takhruj Mn Albahar and the dramatic series Tora Bora, alongside Saad Al Faraj. His recent work Hub fel Arbe’een, aired last Ramadan. Khaled is currently working as a mentor in the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts.

  • Ali Al-Ali

    Ali Al-Ali is a director and writer who graduated from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in Kuwait. Most known for his work as a theatrical producer and director, Ali is also a member of the Board of Directors of the popular theater troupe, “the People’s Theatre,” and  the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. Some of his notable productions include Al hassa al sadissah, Lily and Aldveeben, and Misrah Al cacao. Ali’s has demonstrated particular success in writing and directing children’s theatre, helping revive this tradition to the joy of countless children.

  • Abdullah Boushahri

    Abdullah Boushahri is a Kuwaiti-born filmmaker, visual artist and entrepreneur who first rose to prominence with his short film Kuwaiti Champion that garnered critical acclaim as the first Kuwaiti film made in the cinéma vérité genre. After attaining a BA in Film from Florida Atlantic University, he made his feature documentary debut Losing Ahmad which premiered at Dubai International Film Festival in 2006. He won “Best Documentary in the Gulf" in 2007 and toured more than 30 international film festivals around the world. He has produced eight films to date and in 2014, Abdullah joined the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs as Director of the Creative Production Department (ADASA) to help develop and support the creative community in Kuwait.

  • Eman Najem

    During Eman Najem’s early career she hosted one of the biggest radio broadcast shows in Kuwait before moving into TV programing. Playing a strong role is encouraging female participation on TV, she began live broadcasting and soon expanded her fan base even further. Eman has received awards and notoriety for her work spanning both radio and TV. 

  • Khalifah R. Alhajri

    A practicing artist and scenographer, Khalifah R. Alhajri holds a PhD in “Stage Design” from the University of Leeds and has been teaching in the department of Stage Design at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts since 2007. Alhajri's primary research is in the Arab Theatre and Arab – Muslim Identity.  He is also interested in ritualistic theater in the Arab-Muslim world.  Alhajri is a Member of The Administrative Board at The Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts – Kuwait since 2010, and was the head of judges of the Kuwait national theater festival in 2012, member of judges of Kuwait Youth theater festival in 2012 and  member of judges of Sharjah Theatre festival in 2013.

    Alhajri's primary research is in the Arab The
    atre and Arab – Muslim Identity. He is also intere
    sted
    in ritualistic theater in the Arab-Muslim world. A
    lhajri is a Member of The Administrative Board at T
    he
    Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts – Kuwait since 20
    10, and was the head of judges of the Kuwait nation
    al
    theater festival in 2012, member of judges of Kuwai
    t Youth theater festival in 2012 and member of
    judges of Sharjah Theatre festival in 2013.
    Alhajri's primary research is in the Arab The
    atre and Arab – Muslim Identity. He is also intere
    sted
    in ritualistic theater in the Arab-Muslim world. A
    lhajri is a Member of The Administrative Board at T
    he
    Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts – Kuwait since 20
    10, and was the head of judges of the Kuwait nation
    al
    theater festival in 2012, member of judges of Kuwai
    t Youth theater festival in 2012 and member of
    judges of Sharjah Theatre festival in 2013.

  • Jamshid Malekpour

    A filmmaker and director of theatre, Jamshid Malekpour earned his MA in “theatre and cinema” from the City University of New York and PhD in “drama” from the Australian National University. His motion picture, Red Wind, was selected and screened at the Montreal Film Festival in Canada and Nantes Film Festival in France. He directed plays such as “Macbeth”, “Oedipus King”, “Caligula” and “Antigone”, and published many books on theatre including “the Islamic Drama” and “the History of World Theatre”. 

  • Nadia Ahmad

    Nadia Ahmad graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Television, Radio and Film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University and earned a Master’s of Fine Arts from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California in Motion Picture Producing. She has produced, directed, and acted in several short films. A trained theatre actor and performer, she is active in the independent Arab theatre community. She currently hosts the popular talk show Kalam Nawaem on MBC. 

  • Zeyad Al Husaini

    “Z” is an award-winning director for his films and commericals at such acclaimed venues as the 2004 New York Independent Film Festival, the 2000 New York International Independent Film Festival, the 2004 Chicago International Short Film Festival’s, 1998 Seguaro Film Festival Award, as well as the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Arab Ad Awards. Named one of the “Arab Filmmakers of the Year” by the French Arab Art Institute in Paris, Z has taken top prizes at the AMF Advertising Creativity Awards, among others. Z also received Kuwait’s national award for creativity, the highest honor bestowed on local artists and filmmakers. He currently serves as the Live Action Producer of the new Iftah Ya Simsim TV show. Z holds a PhD in Film and Philosophy from Columbia University.   

  • Khalid Al-Zanki

    Khalid Al-Zanki, the face of ALZANKI ENTERPRISES, the creative force behind its launches, and a formidable team builder. He is the founder and CEO of the first product launch agency in Middle East. He is the host and producer of the first business and entrepreneurship podcasts in Middle East, LAUNCH ON FIRE Business Podcasts. He built his first business at the age of 23, reaped profitable rewards and was labeled “Godfather of Entrepreneurs in Kuwait” by Entrepreneur Magazine.