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

Hi Israa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
One of the most defining aspects of our humanity is our ability to tell stories through artistic expressions. Ever since I was a kid, I was always reading and writing stories and poetry. My imagination was so vivid that I would spend hours daydreaming about plots and characters. Creating stories was an escape mechanism from the reality I experienced as an Iraqi kid. It not only allowed me to go to different worlds but also helped me express what I was feeling and thinking at the time. I thought that I was going to become an author but I realized that I love visuals as well as sounds and music. I would imagine the camera angles and movements as well as the music that would go with certain scenes. I pursued a BSc. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University where I majored in Culture and Politics before doing my MFA in Filmmaking at New York Film Academy. Some people get surprised when they know that and think that it’s a major career change but I had a passion and interest in social justice issues and topics that are often overlooked in our world. Due to that, I am now equipped with a way to analyze the world through a critical lens and examine topics from various angles which helped a lot in storytelling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am passionate about unearthing overlooked stories about people’s joys and tragedies, the kind that are deeply personal or local, yet universal and my work reflect that. My films whether they are comedy, drama, or horror, all have a social, cultural, and/or political matter at the core. I grew up consuming stories that follow a different structure to Western storytelling such as Arabic stories, Japanese anime, and folkloric tales.

Therefore, I am not afraid to experiment with structure as long as I can leave the impact that I wanted to deliver to the audience. Whether it is a comedy or horror or drama, it is important that I engage the audience’s senses. Emotions is a powerful thing that I tend to focus on, making sure that all the elements whether light, camera, actor’s delivery, music, etc. conveys a paticular emotion I am going for.

My work is collaborative, I like to hear what my colleagues and crew can bring to the table. A director cannot work alone and it is important to trust the expertise of the people around you.

I have a big project coming up: My debut feature, and I am really excited for it! The story is a coming-of-age drama about two highschool best friends who race against time to document iconic places and structures in their town before they are demolished and their memories are lost forever. I will be exploring the question of where is home in a fast-paced changing world especially through the lens of gentrification. I will be showing the relationship between people and the spaces they occupy and how does the change in these places affect the relationship we have with one another. If everything goes as planned, this feature film will be the first feature film to be directed by a woman back home in my resident country, Qatar. I have already went back in May 2022 and shot some B-roll of areas that are under the threat of change or their future seems to be unknown. Therefore, I will be documenting and preserving the memeories of these places through my narrative film, mirroring what my main characters are doing in the film.

Other than my feature, I am most excited everytime I open a new screenwriting page. The thrill of creating something from blank is a feeling I will never get bored of. Equally, the adernaline of every time I step on set to direct is the most exciting feeling that I hope to continue to feel for as long as I can.

Trusting my instincts, learning from others, watching and listening to professionals and fellw colleagues, as well as slowly getting out of my shell and trying new things has helped me reach to where I am today.

It hasn’t been easy, I had to sacrifice a lot of things but I made sure to surround myself with the right support group although being a director could still feel lonely sometimes and I do not mean that there is no collaboration but at the end of the day everyone is looking for answers and direction from you and you have to draw from your inner strength because you know the story best. Therefore, I find it important to constantly remind myself of the reason why I am telling a particular story, the cause behind it, and why it is important for people to see it.

There are countless lessons that I have learned but if I could choose a few I would say trusting my instincts which a director’s best tool. At the beginning of my career, my gut would tell me something, I would hear it, but not act upon it and then regret it later. I came to realize that it is important to communicate that feeling. Which brings me to the next thing: Communication. Even though I always knew that communication was important, it was further solidfied when I began directing. It is easy to stay in one’s head and assume that people know your vision but it won’t lead into what you want. So I realized how important it is to never leave unanswered questions and to creaate a safe space for communication with the crew and cast. Lastly, and I think it is something that continues to evolve with the years and each project, is keeping that balance between having an open mind and hearing what others have to say vs making sure to deliver your vision.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely try to give them both a local and “tourist-y” experience. I would take them to Porto’s in Burbank or The Butcher, The Baker, and The Cappuccino Maker for breakfast or brunch, then visit the gardens or the museums. I would definitely show them some cool spots like Mystery Pier, Hollywood Book & Poster, or It’s a Wrap store. I can never get enough of the beach so going there is a must. I love everything spooky so hopefully, they’re around Halloween to check out some of the Halloween stores at Magnolia Blvd and participate in the various fun spooky events or take a haunted walking tour in Pasadena.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My community of friends as well as family back home definitely deserves credit.

The film industry back home is young and it’s still growing, in cases like this, it is important to truly appreciate the value of the community, after all, It takes a community to make a film and filmmaking is all about cooperation. My friends back home who are fellow artists trying to make a change and push the envelope of creativity and expression have been a big part of my journey. It is important to surround oneself with people who work for the art and the impact they wish it will make and not for purely personal gains. Being around individuals, even if they are very few, whose eyes sparkle with excitement at the mention of a new creative project and who are not afraid to give constructive feedback is something that I truly thank my friends for.

Filmmaking is not popular in my part of the world as other career paths such as engineering and medicine. Yet, I was privileged to have a family that always saw my talent for storytelling. After finishing my undergrad, I worked various jobs, especially in the corporate world. I was an account executive at public relations and reputation management agencies, a content development specialist, a social media executive for the biggest bank in the country, etc. The fire of passion was always dim during these days and those who are close to me saw that. Therefore, they were not surprised when I finally decided in 2020 to pursue what my heart has always called for me to do.

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

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

Image Credits
Personal Photo taken by Adrianne Aghata. Instagram: @adrianeaghata Poster by Hazem Asif. Instagram: @worldofhazem

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