The Art of Local Storytelling in MENA: The Challenges of Producing Local Films
Why is it easier to recall films from New York or London than stories from our own neighborhoods?
Hey streamers 👋
Today, I’ll discuss why producing local films in the Middle East and North Africa remains a significant challenge.
In my series, « Local MENA stories », I share the voices of those transforming the local film production.
I wrote this article in collaboration with
, an Iraqi-Kurdish director with international acclaim. He has produced and directed for major names like Endemol and MTV, collaborating with Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar-nominated teams.He just won the award for Best International Documentary at the Duhok Film Festival in South Kurdistan with his film “It Ain’t Where You From” 👏
In the first article, he shared his insights on the importance of telling stories that reflects local cultures. If you missed it, you can read it here:
Today’s conversation with Philip is the second article of our trilogy: he addresses the challenges of producing local films in MENA.
Discover Philip’s inspiring journey on Instagram and learn more about his award winning Boutique Film Studio Soultrotter.

Today’s program
The story of MENA cinema
What’s stopping MENA filmmakers?
The future of MENA filmmaking
And… Action!
↓ The following insights come from Philip.
In the past I have given workshops and lectures at Hoge School van Amsterdam, Utrechtse Centre for the Arts, Ministry of Culture and Youth UAE, Sharjah Film Festival, Global Media Congress, ImageNation, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, TwoFour54 and NYU Abu Dhabi, to name a few.
And I always start with the following questions before discussing cinema and filmmaking:
“What is the last locally made film you watched? Why didn’t you watch it? And what was the last regional production to achieve international recognition?”
These questions underscore a larger issue, the underrepresentation of Middle Eastern narratives both regionally and globally, despite the region’s profound contributions to the art of filmmaking.
The story of MENA cinema
The MENA’s cinematic journey has deep historical roots. Egypt and Lebanon were pioneers in Arab cinema, mostly because the Lumière brothers had their screenings there as early as the 1880s. Egypt’s and Lebanon’s films defined a cultural identity and left an indelible mark on the region’s storytelling. Historical blockbusters have been filmed in Morocco and Tunisia.
Yet, despite this rich legacy, other parts of the Arab world have struggled to develop a robust and sustainable film industry. Countries like the UAE, for instance, are still finding their cinematic voice.
“Film does more than entertain: it shapes identity, preserves culture, and gives voice to a multicultural society and their untold stories.” - Philip Jamal Rachid, Founder, Soultrotter.
Globally, the Middle East has produced groundbreaking works. Directors such as Abbas Kiarostami and Bahman Ghobadi have elevated Iranian and Kurdish cinema to international acclaim, winning prestigious awards and reshaping the perception of Middle Eastern storytelling.
More recently, countries like Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and Sudan have emerged with powerful cinematic voices, delivering bold and poignant narratives that resonate globally.
This history of achievement even extends to Hollywood. In 1937, Sheikh Khalil Al Rawaf, a Saudi actor, became the first Arab to star in an American film, appearing alongside John Wayne in “I Cover the War”. Such milestones demonstrate the potential of Middle Eastern talent to transcend geographical boundaries.

A notable aspect of this film is the appearance of Sheikh Khalil Al-Rawaf, a Saudi Arabian actor. Al-Rawaf is recognized as one of the first Arabs to appear in a Hollywood film, making this movie a significant historical marker for Middle Eastern representation in early American cinema.
Yet, a critical question remains: “why do we know so much about the streets, boroughs, stories and films of places like New York or London, yet struggle to name narratives from our own neighborhoods? “
This gap highlights the transformative power of cinema. Film does more than entertain: it shapes identity, preserves culture, and gives voice to a multicultural society and their untold stories.
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What’s stopping MENA filmmakers?
One of the longstanding barriers to filmmaking has been its prohibitive cost, historically limiting access to the wealthy elite. However, times are changing. Affordable technology and the rise of social media platforms have democratized storytelling.
Today, aspiring filmmakers can share their work with a global audience and receive instant feedback, bypassing traditional gatekeepers.
“Support systems, from funding initiatives to training programs, remain underdeveloped compared to other regions.” - Philip Jamal Rachid, Founder, Soultrotter.
Despite these advancements, significant challenges persist: Financial constraints, limited infrastructure, and cultural sensitivities often hinder the growth of cinema in the MENA. Support systems, from funding initiatives to training programs, remain underdeveloped compared to other regions. Moreover, societal perceptions and regulatory frameworks can stifle creative expression.
The MENA region presents unique challenges for filmmakers, shaped by its diverse cultures, historical contexts, and political landscapes.
Below are some of the primary challenges from my point of view:
1. The perception challenge:
In many parts of the world, filmmaking is celebrated as an art form, a powerful medium for storytelling that bridges cultures, shapes identities, and reflects societal values.
However, in the Middle East especially the Gulf region, filmmaking often struggles to be seen through the same lens. Instead, it is frequently dismissed as a commercial gimmick, a business venture, or a project that imitates existing templates rather than fostering original creativity.
This perception gap is deeply rooted in cultural and social attitudes. For many families in the region, filmmaking is not seen as a legitimate profession but rather as a risky, unstable pursuit.
Traditional career paths, such as medicine and engineering, remain the gold standard, offering the promise of financial security and societal respect. Encouraging a child to become a filmmaker often feels like steering them toward uncertainty.
2. Censorship and content restrictions
Governments in the region often have strict regulations on content. Sensitive topics like politics, religion, gender roles, and sexuality can be heavily scrutinized or outright banned. Yet this challenge could also trigger ones creativity in their storytelling.
Self-censorship is common among filmmakers who want their work to be distributed locally, balancing artistic vision with societal expectations.
3. Limited funding and investment
While some countries in the region (UAE, Saudi Arabia) are increasing investments in the film industry, access to funding remains uneven. Independent filmmakers (local & non-Local) often struggle to secure financial backing from the same countries.
Yet international funds don’t support local (based) filmmakers as well. Presuming they have enough financial opportunities.
Investors and sponsors tend to prioritize commercially viable projects, which can stifle experimental Film d'auteur niche storytelling.
“Cinema has the potential to connect local communities, preserve cultural heritage, show diversity and showcase the richness of Middle Eastern stories to the world.” - Philip Jamal Rachid, Founder, Soultrotter.
4. Inconsistent infrastructure
The region lacks a robust film production ecosystem in many countries. This includes limited access to affordable locations, professional equipment, studios, post-production facilities, and experienced crews.
Filmmakers often need to travel or outsource services to more established film hubs, which increases costs and logistical challenges.
5. Distribution barriers
The MENA region has a limited number of cinemas and even lesser Art House cinemas, and local films often compete with Hollywood blockbusters for screen time.
Streaming platforms provide an alternative, but they may favor internationally oriented content, making it harder for regionally specific films to gain visibility.

6. Cultural and social expectations
Filmmakers need to navigate diverse dialects and cultural norms, which vary significantly across the region.
Content acceptable in one country may provoke backlash in another.
7. Political instability
Conflicts and political unrest in certain parts of the region can hinder productions, limit access to locations, and impact safety for cast and crew.
Political sensitivities also influence the narratives filmmakers can explore, particularly when addressing historical or contemporary events.
8. Audience reception
Local audiences are often drawn to global content, particularly from Hollywood or Bollywood, making it harder for regional films to find strong support domestically.
Efforts to educate audiences on the value of local storytelling are still developing.
“Streaming platforms provide an alternative, but they may favor internationally oriented content, making it harder for regionally specific films to gain visibility.” - Philip Jamal Rachid, Founder, Soultrotter.
9. Skilled Workforce
There is a shortage of trained professionals in the film industry, particularly in technical roles like art department, editing, sound design, and VFX. Many filmmakers must rely on international talent, increasing production costs.
Or people miss out on the professional journey of working your way up the ranks. Lacking the experience to lead and direct a set or a department with a clear vision that can produce quality.
The future of MENA filmmaking
To overcome these obstacles, the region must invest in its storytellers. By nurturing talent, providing resources, and fostering an environment that encourages creativity, the region can reclaim its narrative power.
Cinema has the potential to connect local communities, preserve cultural heritage, show diversity and showcase the richness of Middle Eastern stories to the world.
As new voices emerge and technology lowers the barriers to entry, there is a renewed hope for the future of MENA cinema. By bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, the region can establish itself as a vibrant and essential force in global storytelling.
Ultimately, for filmmaking to thrive in the MENA, it must be embraced as both a viable career and an art form that enriches society. This change will not happen overnight, but with continued efforts to elevate the medium and its practitioners, a new generation of storytellers may find the support they need to shine.
That’s all for today, the second article of my “Local MENA stories” in collaboration with
. If you found this breakdown valuable, spread the word and share it with your network!I hope everyone has a great week, see you online next Monday. In the meantime enjoy American Primeval on Netflix. It follows the gritty and adventurous exploration of the birth of the American West, the violent collisions of cults, religion, and men and women fighting for control of the new world.
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