Nayla Al Khaja

Nayla Al Khaja is an Emirati filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, widely recognized as the first female director in the United Arab Emirates. Born in Dubai on March 7, 1978, she has spent over two decades building a career that breaks barriers for women in Arab cinema. Her work is known for blending cultural authenticity with genre storytelling, particularly in horror and psychological drama.

As of 2026, Al Khaja is riding high on the success of her sophomore feature, Baab, which premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival in November 2025 and hit theaters in January 2026. The film, scored by Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, has earned critical praise for its innovative take on horror within an Islamic context. With a dedicated following of over 51,000 on Instagram and a reputation as a mentor and community builder, she continues to shape the future of Emirati cinema. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja grew up in Dubai, where she developed an early passion for visual arts and storytelling. Her route into filmmaking was anything but linear. Before stepping behind the camera, she built a strong foundation in the visual arts, which would later inform the striking aesthetic of her films.

In 2007, she took a significant step by founding a film community that screens independent films, helping to cultivate a local film culture from the ground up. This grassroots effort predated her own feature career and showcased her commitment to building an industry that had little infrastructure for women. Her early short films, including Malal (2010) and The Neighbour (2013), began to establish her as a distinctive voice, even as she continued to refine her craft. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja's career is defined by a series of firsts for women in Emirati cinema. After her early shorts, including Three (2017), she made her feature debut with Three on February 1, 2024, premiering across the MENA region and securing theatrical distribution. That made history as the first feature film by a female Emirati director.

Her second feature, Baab, has taken her career to new heights. It premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival in November 2025, another historic first for an Emirati woman, and was released theatrically in January 2026. The film features music by Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, marking his first Arabic thriller soundtrack. Critics have described Baab as a terrifying exorcist drama that adapts Christian horror tropes into Muslim culture, and as a richly textured psychological fantasy. In January 2026, Al Khaja also publicly defended Rahman against online backlash, showing her willingness to speak out on industry matters. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja is often described in the media as a trailblazer and visionary for Arab cinema. Her public persona is that of a dedicated artist who blends cultural authenticity with genre elements, particularly horror and psychological drama. She is also recognized as a mentor and community builder, having founded a film community in 2007. Her social media presence, particularly on Instagram where she has over 51,000 followers, reflects her role as an educator and advocate for film. Fans and critics alike appreciate her bold storytelling and her resistance to easy categorization, as seen in the complex reception of Baab. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja commands a following defined by professional reverence rather than the frenzied adoration typical of pop stars. Her audience consists primarily of industry insiders, cinephiles, and advocates for Arab cinema who track her work with the intensity of scholars studying a moving history. There is no formal name for this collective; they are simply those who champion the breaking of barriers in the region's film landscape. This group gathers not for viral challenges or fan campaigns, but through the screenings organized by The Scene Club, which she founded in 2007 to nurture independent talent. Their loyalty is rooted in her role as a mentor and a pioneer who has consistently elevated the visibility of Emirati storytelling on global stages. Her standing in the global consciousness has solidified alongside these achievements, placing her firmly among the most recognized figures from her nation. According to the latest data from the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Nayla Al Khaja is the 96th most famous person from United Arab Emirates, a position she holds steady from the previous cycle. This ranking reflects a sustained trajectory of influence that spans over two decades of groundbreaking work.[edit]

Nayla Al Khaja holds a DED license (Dubai Economic Department) as a film director and producer, a credential that underscores her official standing in the industry. She was named Top Female Entrepreneur in the Middle East and has served as an official judge for Red Bull, likely for a creative competition. Her film Baab represents the first Arabic thriller scored by A.R. Rahman, a unique distinction. She also made history as the first Emirati female director to premiere a film at the Cairo International Film Festival. Beyond her own work, she runs a film community founded in 2007 that screens independent films, nurturing emerging talent. The narrative surrounding her legacy is built on verified milestones rather than folklore. Her debut feature Three premiered across the MENA region in February 2024, marking a major turning point for Emirati cinema. Later, her psychological thriller Baab became the first feature directed by an Emirati woman to be screened at the Cairo International Film Festival in November 2025. This collaboration with composer A.R. Rahman generated significant attention, particularly when Al Khaja publicly defended him against backlash regarding his previous work Chhaava in early 2026. These moments have become the central pillars of her cultural mythology, celebrated for their historical significance rather than sensationalized drama.[edit]

Details about Nayla Al Khaja's family remain private, and she has not publicly shared information about her parents, siblings, or her own household. She keeps her personal life out of the spotlight, focusing media attention on her professional achievements. What is known is that she grew up in Dubai, and that city's culture deeply influences her work. Her dedication to building the UAE's film community suggests a strong sense of local identity, but specifics about her family background are not part of the public record. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja is closely associated with Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, who scored her film Baab, marking his first Arabic thriller soundtrack. She has also publicly defended him against online criticism, demonstrating a strong professional bond. Her work has been praised by critics like those at the Cairo International Film Festival, and she is connected to the broader Arab film community through her founding of a film screening collective in 2007. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja has kept her romantic life extremely private. No credible sources document any dating history, marriages, or engagements. She has not publicly discussed being in a relationship, and media coverage has focused almost entirely on her professional milestones. As of 2026, her relationship status remains undisclosed, and she appears to prioritize her career and creative work over publicizing her personal life. [edit]

Nayla Al Khaja's net worth is not widely reported by celebrity wealth trackers, but per iFANN's editorial analysis, it is estimated to be around $5 Million as of 2026. Her income primarily comes from her work as a director and producer, including theatrical releases and festival screenings of her films. She also earns from speaking engagements and her role as a mentor in the film community. While specific figures are scarce, her growing reputation and the success of Baab suggest a steady financial trajectory. Her production company, Nayla Al Khaja Films, also contributes to her earnings through various projects and partnerships.[edit]

Nayla Al Khaja has been recognized for her pioneering role in Arab cinema, receiving the title of Top Female Entrepreneur in the Middle East. Her films have been celebrated at international festivals, and Baab has earned critical acclaim for its innovative approach to horror. While specific film awards are not fully documented, her historic firsts, such as being the first Emirati female director to premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival, stand as significant achievements. [edit]