Ali F. Mostafa: Difference between revisions

Ali F. Mostafa
Ali F. Mostafa
Born	Ali Faisal Mostafa Bin Abdullatif; 25 September 1981 (age 43); London, England
Alma mater	London Film School

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Ali Faisal Mostafa Bin Abdullatif (born 25 September 1981) is a British-Emirati filmmaker, director and producer who is credited as the director of the first Emirati feature-film City of Life (2009). He is a graduate of London Film School.^[1]

According to Mostafa, the inspiration for producing City of Life came because “I was tired of people comparing Dubai to a Disneyland. Most of them take one look at the glitzy buildings and assume it’s an artificial place. My film has none of that. It has real people with real problems. Like any other city in the world, my film shows both the positives and the negatives."^[2] Mostafa faced initial controversy when some cinemas refused to showcase his movie who they claimed portrayed Dubai in a negative light. He however squashed the rumours, saying that with his film, he hoped to change the global perception of his hometown and put it on par with cities such as London and New York City which also face "real problems."^[2]^[3] According to data produced by Italia Film International the movie ranked second in the local box office and successfully made over 500,000 dirhams in its first weekend; there were reports that makers were deciding to show the film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.^[4]

Mostafa has been branded as "Best Emirati Filmmaker" in the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF),^[2] won the 'Young Filmmaker of the Year' award at the Digital Studio Awards 2010, and Variety magazine quoted that he has proven to be the Gulf’s first director of international standing.

While expanding his activities into brand ambassadorships, in 2011 Mostafa was asked to develop the first ever short series – Classified – to be broadcast online only and developed in the Middle East as part of his association with Land Rover.

Mostafa’s second feature From A to B opened the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October 2014, a first for an Emirati film, challenging stereotypical perceptions of Middle Eastern culture through a story of three best friends who take a road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut.

Mostafa’s feature The Worthy, a collaboration between Imagination and Hollywood Producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider, premiered at the BFA London Film Festival in October 2016, and received a gala premiere at the Dubai Film Festival in December 2016. A thriller set in the dystopian future where water is scarce, it was released on 23 February 2017. In 2022 Mostafa announced he is working on 'City of Life Continuum' the sequel to his 2009 breakout debut film City of Life ^[5]

Personal life

Mostafa's father is Emirati while his mother is British; he was born in London, England. Growing up in the U.A.E., he was interested in filming from his childhood and experimented making his own short films and mock TV ads. Upon completion of his education, Mostafa established a division from an existing company focusing on set and interior design. He then pursued his goal in 2003 when he enrolled at the London Film School to obtain an M.A. for practical training in film technique. He then set up his own production company AFM Films,and has worked on short films and TV commercials in various areas of production for over 10 years, although his focus remains on directing.

Mostafa has also directed a number of short movies; his 2005 film "Under the Sun" was screened at the DIFF and won the Emirates Film Competition in 2006. It was also screened at the Rome, Rhode Island and San Francisco International Film Festivals.^[6]

Mostafa also spends his time on humanitarian causes having participated in projects with Oxfam, whilst having also taken on the role of goodwill ambassador for Visit Britain.

Mostafa is married to yoga instructor Adele O'Herlihy^[7] and has 3 children, his daughter Ayah and twin sons, from a previous marriage to Maha Gorton.^[8]

References

^ "Ali Mostafa teams with US producers for The Worthy | London Film School". lfs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c "City of Life" Captures the Spirit of Dubai". Celebuzz. 2009.
^ Silvia Radan (25 September 2010). "We are moving in the right direction". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
^ Shance McGinley (30 April 2010). "City of Life' makes AED500,000 in opening weekend". Arabian Business.
^ "Ali F. Mostafa Reveals Next Film Will Be A Standalone Sequel To 2009 Breakout, Dubai-Set Debut 'City Of Life'". 8 December 2022.
^ "Local Filmmaker Offers Inspiration For Kids". Dubai City Guide. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
^ Baxter-Priest, Matthew (1 December 2023). "Mohammed Mostafa has Main Character Energy".
^ Gouveia, Alexandria (14 February 2019). "Ali F Mostafa's Letter To His Wife Will Melt Your Heart". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

External links

[1] "Ali Mostafa teams with US producers for The Worthy | London Film School". lfs.org.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

[CL-2] "City of Life" Captures the Spirit of Dubai". Celebuzz. 2009.

[3] Silvia Radan (25 September 2010). "We are moving in the right direction". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2010.

[4] Shance McGinley (30 April 2010). "City of Life' makes AED500,000 in opening weekend". Arabian Business.

[5] "Ali F. Mostafa Reveals Next Film Will Be A Standalone Sequel To 2009 Breakout, Dubai-Set Debut 'City Of Life'". 8 December 2022.

[6] "Local Filmmaker Offers Inspiration For Kids". Dubai City Guide. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2010.

[7] Baxter-Priest, Matthew (1 December 2023). "Mohammed Mostafa has Main Character Energy".

[8] Gouveia, Alexandria (14 February 2019). "Ali F Mostafa's Letter To His Wife Will Melt Your Heart". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 1 October 2024.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
-{{Infobox person
+{{BLP sources|date=December 2021}}{{Infobox person
-| name = Ali F. Mostafa
+| name               = Ali F. Mostafa
-| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|09|25}}
+| image              =
-| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
+| caption            = Ali F. Mostafa in the ‘My Journey, My Inspiration’ film for Land Rover in August 2016
+| birth_name         = Ali Faisal Mostafa Bin Abdullatif
+| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1981|09|25|df=y}}
+| birth_place        = [[London]], England
+| alma_mater         = [[London Film School]]
 }}
-'''Ali F. Mostafa''' (born '''Ali Faisal Mostafa Bin Abdullatif''' on 25 September 1981) is a [[United Kingdom|British]]-[[Emirati]] filmmaker, director and producer who is credited as the director of the first Emirati feature-film ''[[City of Life]].'' In 2009, it was released.
+'''Ali Faisal Mostafa Bin Abdullatif''' (born 25 September 1981) is a [[United Kingdom|British]]-[[Emiratis|Emirati]] filmmaker, director and producer who is credited as the director of the first Emirati feature-film ''[[City of Life]]'' (2009). He is a graduate of [[London Film School]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ali Mostafa teams with US producers for The Worthy {{!}} London Film School |url=https://lfs.org.uk/content/ali-mostafa-teams-us-producers-worthy |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=lfs.org.uk}}</ref>
-According to Mostafa, the inspiration for producing ''City of Life'' came because “I was tired of people comparing Dubai to a [[Disneyland]]. Most of them take one look at the glitzy buildings and assume it’s an artificial place. My film has none of that. It has real people with real problems. Like any other city in the world, my film shows both the positives and the negatives."<ref name="CL"/> Mostafa faced initial controversy when a couple cinemas refused to showcase his movie who they claimed portrayed Dubai in a negative light. He however squashed the rumours, saying that with his film, he hoped to change the global perception of his hometown and put it on par with cities such as [[London]] and [[New York City]] which also face "real problems."<ref name="CL"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/expressions/2010/September/expressions_September36.xml&section=expressions&col=|title=We are moving in the right direction|work=[[Khaleej Times]]|author=Silvia Radan|date=25 September 2010}}</ref> According to data produced by Italia Film International the movie ranked second in the local box office and successfully made over 500,000 [[United Arab Emirates dirham|dirhams]] in its first weekend; there were reports that makers were deciding to show the film at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/-city-of-life-makes-aed500-000-in-opening-weekend-155278.html|title=City of Life' makes AED500,000 in opening weekend|date=30 April 2010|work=[[Arabian Business]]|author=Shance McGinley}}</ref>
+According to Mostafa, the inspiration for producing ''City of Life'' came because “I was tired of people comparing Dubai to a [[Disneyland]]. Most of them take one look at the glitzy buildings and assume it’s an artificial place. My film has none of that. It has real people with real problems. Like any other city in the world, my film shows both the positives and the negatives."<ref name="CL"/> Mostafa faced initial controversy when some cinemas refused to showcase his movie who they claimed portrayed Dubai in a negative light. He however squashed the rumours, saying that with his film, he hoped to change the global perception of his hometown and put it on par with cities such as [[London]] and [[New York City]] which also face "real problems."<ref name="CL"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/expressions/2010/September/expressions_September36.xml&section=expressions&col=|title=We are moving in the right direction|work=[[Khaleej Times]]|author=Silvia Radan|date=25 September 2010|access-date=21 October 2010|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929091546/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/expressions/2010/September/expressions_September36.xml&section=expressions&col=|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to data produced by Italia Film International the movie ranked second in the local box office and successfully made over 500,000 [[United Arab Emirates dirham|dirhams]] in its first weekend; there were reports that makers were deciding to show the film at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/-city-of-life-makes-aed500-000-in-opening-weekend-155278.html|title=City of Life' makes AED500,000 in opening weekend|date=30 April 2010|work=[[Arabian Business]]|author=Shance McGinley}}</ref>
 Mostafa has been branded as  "Best Emirati Filmmaker" in the [[Dubai International Film Festival]] (DIFF),<ref name="CL">{{cite news|url=http://www.natalie-dormer.org/press/?p=57|title=City of Life" Captures the Spirit of Dubai|work=Celebuzz|year=2009}}</ref> won the 'Young Filmmaker of the Year' award at the Digital Studio Awards 2010, and Variety magazine quoted that he has proven to be the Gulf’s first director of international standing.
@@ Line 14: / Line 20: @@
 Mostafa’s second feature From A to B opened the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October 2014, a first for an Emirati film, challenging stereotypical perceptions of Middle Eastern culture through a story of three best friends who take a road trip from Abu Dhabi to Beirut.
-Mostafa’s latest feature ''[[The Worthy (film)|The Worthy]]'', a collaboration between Imagination and Hollywood Producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider, premiered at the BFA London Film Festival in October 2016, and received a gala premiere at the Dubai Film Festival in December 2016. A thriller set in the dystopian future where water is scarce, it was released on February 23, 2017.
+Mostafa’s feature ''[[The Worthy]]'', a collaboration between Imagination and Hollywood Producers Peter Safran and Steven Schneider, premiered at the BFA London Film Festival in October 2016, and received a gala premiere at the Dubai Film Festival in December 2016. A thriller set in the dystopian future where water is scarce, it was released on 23 February 2017. In 2022 Mostafa announced he is working on 'City of Life Continuum' the sequel to his 2009 breakout debut film ''[[City of Life]]'' <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/ali-f-mostafa-reveals-next-101223416.html |title=Ali F. Mostafa Reveals Next Film Will Be A Standalone Sequel To 2009 Breakout, Dubai-Set Debut ‘City Of Life’ |date=8 December 2022}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
-Mostafa's father is Emirati while his mother is [[United Kingdom|British]]; he was born in [[London]], [[England]]. Growing up in the U.A.E., he was interested in filming from his childhood and experimented making his own short films and mock TV ads. Upon completion of his education, Mostafa established a division from an existing company focusing on set and interior design. He then pursued his goal in 2003 when he enrolled at the [[London Film School]] to obtain an M.A. for practical training in film technique. He then set up his own production company AFM Films, and has worked on short films and TV commercials in various areas of production for over 10 years, although his focus remains on directing.
+Mostafa's father is Emirati while his mother is [[United Kingdom|British]]; he was born in [[London]], [[England]]. Growing up in the U.A.E., he was interested in filming from his childhood and experimented making his own short films and mock TV ads. Upon completion of his education, Mostafa established a division from an existing company focusing on set and interior design. He then pursued his goal in 2003 when he enrolled at the [[London Film School]] to obtain an M.A. for practical training in film technique. He then set up his own production company AFM Films,and has worked on short films and TV commercials in various areas of production for over 10 years, although his focus remains on directing.
+Mostafa has also directed a number of short movies; his 2005 film "Under the Sun" was screened at the DIFF and won the Emirates Film Competition in 2006. It was also screened at the Rome, Rhode Island and San Francisco International Film Festivals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/news/news-details.asp?newsid=9021&newstype=Company%20News|title=Local Filmmaker Offers Inspiration For Kids|work=Dubai City Guide|date=23 July 2007|access-date=21 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722021845/http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/news/news-details.asp?newsid=9021&newstype=Company%20News|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+Mostafa also spends his time on humanitarian causes having participated in projects with Oxfam, whilst having also taken on the role of goodwill ambassador for Visit Britain.
-Mostafa has also directed a number of short movies; his 2005 film "Under the Sun" was screened at the DIFF and won the Emirates Film Competition in 2006. It was also screened at the Rome, Rhode Island and San Francisco International Film Festivals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/news/news-details.asp?newsid=9021&newstype=Company%20News|title=Local Filmmaker Offers Inspiration For Kids|work=Dubai City Guide|date=23 July 2007}}</ref>
+Mostafa is married to yoga instructor Adele O'Herlihy<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baxter-Priest |first=Matthew |date=1 December 2023 |title=Mohammed Mostafa has Main Character Energy |url=https://www.esquireme.com/culture/features/mohammed-mostafa-has-main-character-energy}}</ref> and has 3 children, his daughter Ayah and twin sons, from a previous marriage to Maha Gorton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gouveia |first=Alexandria |date=2019-02-14 |title=Ali F Mostafa’s Letter To His Wife Will Melt Your Heart |url=https://en.vogue.me/culture/ali-f-mostafas-letter-to-his-wife-maha-gorton-will-melt-your-heart/ |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Vogue Arabia |language=en-GB}}</ref>
-A husband, and father to his three children, Mostafa also spends his time on humanitarian causes having participated in projects with Oxfam, whilst having also taken on the role of goodwill ambassador for Visit Britain.
 ==References==
@@ Line 28: / Line 36: @@
 ==External links==
 * {{IMDb name|2266823|name = Ali F. Mostafa}}
-* [http://gulfnews.com/gntv/emirati-film-maker-at-diff-1.17291 Emirati film maker at DIFF: Gulf News]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101117080635/http://gulfnews.com/gntv/emirati-film-maker-at-diff-1.17291 Emirati film maker at DIFF: Gulf News]
 * [http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/our-film-festivals-thrive-but-our-filmmakers-struggle?pageCount=2 Our film festivals thrive - but our filmmakers struggle: The National (Abu Dhabi)]
-* [http://www.khaleejesque.com/articles/20091221_1 Khaleejesque]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211118172921/http://www.khaleejesque.com/articles/20091221_1 Khaleejesque]
 {{authority control}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Mostafa, Ali}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Mostafa, Ali F.}}
 [[Category:1981 births]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
 [[Category:People from Dubai]]
-[[Category:People from London]]
 [[Category:English people of Emirati descent]]
-[[Category:Emirati people of British descent]]
+[[Category:Emirati people of English descent]]
 [[Category:Emirati film directors]]
 [[Category:Emirati film producers]]
-[[Category:English film directors]]
+[[Category:Film directors from London]]
-[[Category:English film producers]]
+[[Category:Film producers from London]]
 [[Category:Alumni of the London Film School]]

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	Czech Republic