Meet Israa Al-Kamali | screenwriter, director, producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Israa Al-Kamali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Israa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
From childhood, my inclination towards storytelling through written expressions like stories and poetry was evident. Fueled by a vibrant imagination, I would immerse myself in elaborate daydreams, crafting plots and characters for hours on end. For me, creating narratives served as a means of escaping the realities of my upbringing as an Iraqi child. It not only transported me to different realms but also provided an outlet for expressing my emotions and thoughts.

While initially aspiring to be an author, I discovered a profound love for visual and auditory elements. In addition to envisioning camera angles and movements, I found myself mentally composing music to complement specific scenes. This realization prompted a shift in my academic pursuits. I embarked on a journey that led me to earn a BSc. in Foreign Service with a focus on Culture and Politics at Georgetown University. Subsequently, I pursued an MFA in Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.

While some may find my transition from literature to filmmaking surprising, my underlying passion for addressing social justice issues and overlooked topics remained constant. This educational trajectory has equipped me with a critical lens through which I can analyze the world, allowing me to approach storytelling from diverse perspectives.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I truly believe in “less is more.” What makes a film connect to me is the subtext and subtleness that is shown on the screen. The loudness in the silence and in the small gestures, touches, glances, and gazes. All of that helps in creating a new way to look at things. When everyone is looking towards a direction, let the camera go to the opposite and show what everyone forgets. I am interested in creating films and stories about often overlooked subjects about people’s joys and tragedies, the type that are personal yet universal.

As the first Iraqi screenwriter and filmmaker to win certain internationally acclaimed accolades such as The Academy’s Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, the journey has definitely been filled with many challenges. I came a long way to reach where I am right now and getting the recognition has solidified my confidence. I hope this inspires other women filmmakers from the Middle East to trust their instincts and take risks, to never allow anyone to tell them that they cannot create something and to never wait for permission.

Relying on my instincts, drawing inspiration from others, observing and listening to both professionals and fellow colleagues, and gradually stepping out of my comfort zone to embrace new challenges have been instrumental in shaping my current position. The journey hasn’t been without its difficulties, requiring significant sacrifices. However, I made a conscious effort to surround myself with a supportive network. Despite being a director, the role can feel isolating at times. While collaboration exists, the ultimate responsibility for providing answers and guidance falls on me. This necessitates tapping into my inner strength, as I am the one most familiar with the story.

Hence, I find it crucial to consistently remind myself of the purpose behind each narrative, the underlying cause, and why it holds significance for the audience. Numerous lessons have been learned along the way, with a few standing out. Trusting my instincts, a director’s invaluable tool, has proven essential. Initially, I would sense something intuitively, hear it, but not always act on it, leading to subsequent regrets. I’ve come to understand the importance of communicating those feelings.

This realization transitions seamlessly into the significance of communication. While I always acknowledged its importance, it became even more apparent in my role as a director. It’s easy to remain within one’s thoughts, assuming that others understand the vision. However, this assumption doesn’t translate into the desired outcomes. Hence, I’ve recognized the critical nature of addressing all queries and fostering a safe environment for communication with both the crew and cast.

Lastly, an ongoing lesson involves finding the delicate balance between maintaining an open mind, listening to others’ perspectives, and ensuring the delivery of my own vision. This equilibrium evolves with each passing year and project, highlighting the dynamic nature of this aspect of my journey.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Undoubtedly, credit is due to my community of friends and family back home. The film industry in my homeland is still in its early stages of development, emphasizing the paramount importance of acknowledging the community’s role. In the realm of filmmaking, where collaboration is key, it becomes evident that it takes a collective effort to bring a film to life. My friends, who share the common goal of catalyzing change and pushing the boundaries of creativity and expression, have played a significant role in my cinematic journey. Surrounding oneself with individuals dedicated to the art and its potential impact, rather than pursuing personal gains, is crucial. I express sincere gratitude to my friends who embody this ethos, individuals whose eyes light up with enthusiasm at the prospect of a new creative project and who fearlessly provide constructive feedback.

In a region where filmmaking takes a backseat to more conventional career paths like engineering and medicine, I consider myself privileged to have a family that recognized my storytelling talent. Following my undergraduate studies, I navigated through various roles in the corporate world, including positions as an account executive at public relations and reputation management agencies, a content development specialist, and a social media executive for the country’s largest bank. Despite these diverse experiences, the flame of passion flickered during those days, noticeable to those close to me. Consequently, when I made the decision in 2020 to pursue what my heart had always called me to do, it was met with little surprise from those who knew me well.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israaalkamali/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/israa-al-kamali-15059a96

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user118349019/reel?share=copy