A year later, Fahmi joined the crew and started working on the co-production of “A Father Taken”, a short film which received the Audience Choice Award in a film festival in California and was previously premiered in several countries. During his time in the US, Fahmi has worked on several other films including “Ahmad’s Xmas Carol”, “Lulu’s Curls”, “Eid El-Um”, and “Three Veils”. After moving back to Saudi Arabia in early 2011, Fahmi worked on several films and projects which later won awards and were screened internationally. His projects included “Winak?”, “The Corporation”, “One Man’s Tricycle” and many more.
Among his most remarkable works, Fahmi has worked on Saudi films by Al Hadaf for MBC group, including “Driving Alanoud”, which discusses the controversial subject of women’s right to drive in Saudi Arabia. And we can’t help but highlight “God’s Little Gift”, which is a film told using Arabic Sign Language. When we asked Farahat about what inspired him the most, he told us about the huge influence his father has on him. “He gave me the right tools to to be a better artist and storyteller. Back in 2003 when I wasn’t sure if I should study filmmaking or stick to a ‘real career’ such as computer programming, my father, Dr.
Farouk Farahat, inspired me and told me I should follow my heart and do what I love. He always says: “Love what you study, so that you love what you do because that’s the only way to success in your career, whatever it is.” As Farahat shared his story, he emphasized his deep admiration for Mustafa Akkad. “I always admired the late Mustafa Akkad. His epic films in the 1970’s inspired generations of Arab filmmakers. In the early 2000’s, and while studying in Southern California, I was determined to find him. With help from the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles, I had the chance to meet Mr. Akkad. He was very generous with his knowledge and inspirational stories. I met with him a few times throughout the years, until he was murdered in 2006. His mentorship and passing of knowledge was one of the greatest gifts I got as a filmmaker.” Farahat is currently a production manager in Saudi Aramco. He dreams of a Saudi cinematic movement which boosts and develops the filmmaking industry.
My latest documentary, “Journey of Discovery” about the Saudis going to Space. Last year it won best documentary film at the Riyadh Film Competition and was screened in Al Arabyah. — Fahmi Farahat Web: filmsbyfahmi.com Vimeo: vimeo.com/ffarahat
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