We organized a full-day symposium (October 26, 2024) with the mm:museum as part of their exhibition "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" at Northwestern Qatar this year. Three panel discussions took place which we are bringing you in three episodes on their podcast. Past guest Ibrahim Abusharif moderated the first panel with experts Amanda Abou Abdallah, Rana Kazkaz, and Hussein Fakhri who come from leading media organizations. They explored the evolving role of the Arabic language across diverse media platforms, covering a variety of critical topics including the evolution of Arabic content creation, the issues in needing to humanize Arab narratives, the impact of censorship, the future of Arabic language in media, and the importance of developing original and authentic Arab stories. They highlight the potential for growth and the need for a robust infrastructure to support original content creation from the Arab world.
We organized a full-day symposium (October 26, 2024) with the mm:museum as part of their exhibition "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" at Northwestern Qatar this year. Three panel discussions took place which we are bringing you in three episodes on their podcast. Past guest Ibrahim Abusharif moderated the first panel with experts Amanda Abou Abdallah, Rana Kazkaz, and Hussein Fakhri who come from leading media organizations. They explored the evolving role of the Arabic language across diverse media platforms, covering a variety of critical topics including the evolution of Arabic content creation, the issues in needing to humanize Arab narratives, the impact of censorship, the future of Arabic language in media, and the importance of developing original and authentic Arab stories. They highlight the potential for growth and the need for a robust infrastructure to support original content creation from the Arab world.
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Panel Introduction
01:33 Exploring Arabic & Media
03:01 Panelist Backgrounds
04:33 The Importance of Arabic Content
10:04 Challenges & Opportunities in Arabic Media
27:47 Censorship
37:53 Controversy & Class Issues
38:57 Advice for Aspiring Content Creators
39:35 Challenges in Arabic-Language Storytelling
42:31 Economic Models & Funding in Film Industry
46:23 Linguistic Diversity & Representation
57:01 AI and Future of Content Creation
01:09:49 Dehumanization & Authentic Storytelling
01:15:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Amanda Abdallah is the founder and creative chief of Khateera, a platform dedicated to supporting Arab women on their journey to self-realization. She has over 14 years of experience as a director and media strategist. Her diverse portfolio includes edutainment shows, commercials, fiction shorts, docu-series, and transformative social change campaigns. Her work has reached over half a billion views, leaving an indelible mark on the regional content landscape.
Connect with Amanda 👉 https://www.instagram.com/amanda.abaa/
Explore Khateera 👉 https://www.instagram.com/khateera__/
Hussein Fakhri is the Chief Commercial Officer at Katara Studios, where he plays a pivotal role in driving growth and shaping the studio's creative impact on the entertainment industry. He began his career in advertising technology and digital marketing, honing his expertise in innovative strategies. He went on to establish successful ventures in advertising, film production, and talent services in Doha, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader in the creative industries.
Connect with Hussein 👉 https://www.instagram.com/hose20/
Explore Katara Studios 👉 https://www.instagram.com/katarastudios/
Rana Kazkaz is a filmmaker and associate professor in residence at Northwestern University Qatar. Her films have been recognized at the world’s leading festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Tallinn, Tribeca, and Abu Dhabi. With a focus on Syrian stories, her producing, screenwriting, and directing portfolio includes The Translator, Mare Nostrum, Deaf Day, and Kemo Sabe. She is a member of the Académie des César and was awarded fellowships with the Buffett Institute, MacDowell and the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women.
Connect with Rana 👉 https://www.instagram.com/ranakazkaz/
Hosted by 👉 Ibrahim N. Abusharif
Watch out episode with Ibrahim 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBfkEC2r4E
Ibrahim Abusharif is an associate professor in Journalism and Strategic Communication, specializing in narrative journalism, religious studies, and storytelling decolonization. His research focuses on religion and media intersections, digital disruptions, and the framing of Middle Eastern and Muslim narratives in Western journalism. His work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and more, and he has edited over 30 books and translated Islamic texts.
Read more about mm:museum's 2024 exhibition "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" 👉 https://mediamajlis.northwestern.edu/en/whats-on/exhibitions-programs/the-limits-of-my-language-are-the-limits-of-my-world-27-aug-2024-05-dec-2024
Connect with the mm:museum at Northwestern University Qatar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/themediamajlis/