Ayah Al Muqbel: A Filmmaker Amplifying Resilience, Identity, and Unheard Narratives

In a global storytelling landscape increasingly attentive to lived experience, Ayah Al Muqbel has emerged as a filmmaker whose work confronts the emotional core of human resilience. Born and raised in Dubai, Al Muqbel is an award-winning film director whose creative voice bridges cultural reflection and cinematic craft. Her spotlight at the One Billion Summit  an event celebrating influential voices driving thoughtful narrative and community engagement reflects her stature as a storyteller whose work transcends conventional filmmaking to provoke empathy and dialogue.

Al Muqbel’s years at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), from which she graduated with a degree in Media Communication, laid the groundwork for a career rooted in narrative exploration and thematic depth. She further enriched her academic perspective during a semester abroad at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom, an experience that broadened her understanding of visual communication and global storytelling. These academic foundations equipped her with both technical mastery and cultural insight critical tools for the sensitive and impactful narratives she would later pursue.

Her transition into filmmaking was catalyzed by a clear sense of purpose: to bring historically and emotionally significant stories to life. This mission manifests most powerfully in her short film “Sarkha” (صرخة), a project that has gained international recognition. Inspired by the true account of her grandfather, the writer and poet Ibrahim Al-Muqbel, the film dramatizes the harrowing experience of a mother fighting to protect her child amid devastation. It is not merely a portrayal of conflict; it is a human portrait that captures endurance, faith, and the resolute will to survive.

“Sarkha” was officially selected for the 41st Middle East Studies Association Film Festival (MESA) in Washington, D.C., and for the Sobh International Media Festival in Tehran  prestigious platforms that celebrate films with cultural and scholarly significance. The film’s journey from concept to international screens underscores both Al Muqbel’s narrative ambition and her technical skill as a director and screenwriter.

The production of “Sarkha” was not without its challenges. From navigating severe weather conditions during shooting in the UAE to managing complex special effects, the project tested the director’s resilience and leadership. In an unexpected turn, Al Muqbel also stepped in as lead actor when casting changes arose, showcasing her versatility and unwavering commitment to the film’s vision.

Beyond individual accolades, Al Muqbel’s broader body of work reflects a deep commitment to stories that — as she has articulated in interviews give voice to those often unheard in mainstream media. She has presented her films in academic settings such as King’s College London, revealing her commitment not just to entertainment, but to cultural and historical discourse.

Her work has also been recognized in creative strategy: for her senior project at AUS, she earned awards for an integrated marketing campaign supporting the Dubai Autism Center, demonstrating her capacity to combine artistic creativity with social impact.

Al Muqbel’s presence at the One Billion Summit aligns with her broader mission to elevate narrative influence not for spectacle, but for empathy and understanding. As she continues to evolve as a filmmaker, her work remains anchored in themes that resonate across borders: memory, identity, resilience, and justice. In an age where stories shape cultural consciousness, Ayah Al Muqbel stands among those whose creative vision offers not only artistic merit, but a human lens through which audiences can reflect and engage.

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