From mobile to the silver screen: Celebrating YouTube creators in MENA
YouTube rolled out the red carpet for five content creators from across the Middle East and North Africa for the first ever Cinema YouTube premiere screening of unreleased, cinematic short-films by some of the best talents in the region.
From compelling documentaries to deeply personal narratives, spanning Japan, Morocco, and Indonesia - the diversity of the content was a testament to the storytelling and production quality on YouTube and how YouTube creators are the new startups of entertainment and film.
Meet Cinema YouTube’s Premiere Creators:
- Omar Farooq (Bahrain): With 7.8 million subscribers, Omar premiered "Escaping the Future," a captivating documentary exploring profound themes of life, technology, and loneliness through his journey in Japan. This film exemplifies the elevated scope of creator content, moving from traditional vlogging to elaborate, high-production storytelling.
- Anas Bukhash(UAE): His 2.83 million subscribers can look forward to "ABtalks Diaries Korea Edition," an exclusive, unreleased episode from his highly popular series. This installment captures the vibrant atmosphere of Korea, offering intriguing behind-the-scenes moments from an attempt to interview Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and featuring never-before-seen interviews with the renowned K-pop group, TWICE.
- Taha Essou(Morocco): Taha, with 2.59 million subscribers, unveiled "Heritage," a powerful documentary. It uncovers the inspiring underdog story and enduring impact of Moroccan icon Haj Rahal Essoulami, Taha’s late grandfather and the founder of Africa's leading caterer. The film intimately explores his life through cherished memories, showcasing a deep dive into cultural heritage.
- Haifa Beseisso (Palestine): Known as Fly with Haifa to her 818,000 subscribers, Haifa presented "Into the Dark." This unique and poignant film chronicles her first experience participating in a 4-day darkness retreat. Navigating all activities entirely without sight, the film offers a deep exploration of the unknown and inner self-discovery through compelling, high-quality storytelling.
- Sherif Nabil (Egypt): Sherif, with 644,000 subscribers, premiered "Into the Fire: Mount Ijen." This investigative documentary exposes the perilous daily lives of sulfur miners in Indonesia's Mount Ijen volcano. Sherif takes viewers to where miners descend into toxic fumes with minimal protection, challenging global indifference to hazardous labor in the 21st century.
This evolution reflects a broader trend across the region. YouTube creators in MENA are rapidly transforming into entertainment startups. For example, Telfaz11 have scaled from popular YouTube series to successful feature films, nurturing new talent in Saudi cinema. Individual YouTube creators such as Ahmed Al Nasheet now manage full-fledged operations with dedicated teams. Cinema YouTube premiere creator Omar Farooq has expanded from solo vlogging to launch "Atanafas," a production company employing 20 people and creating diverse content for clients across MENA.
We can’t wait to see how YouTube’s creators will continue to add their own touch and twist to the entertainment and film industries across the region!
