- BAAB is the first Emirati feature by a female director to premiere at CIFF.
- Directed by Nayla Al Khaja; shot entirely in the UAE.
- Score by A.R. Rahman, his first for an Arabic-language film.
- Cinematography by Rogier Stoffers ASC, NSC.
- Theatrical rollout across MENA via VOX Distribution in early 2026.
BAAB is a female-led dark psychological drama from Nayla Al Khaja, the UAE’s first female director and producer. It premieres at the Cairo International Film Festival, marking the first Emirati feature by a woman to screen there.
Set in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, the film uses grief, silence and sound to blur memory and reality. A.R. Rahman delivers his first Arabic film score, with Rogier Stoffers behind the camera. After festivals, BAAB will release across MENA in early 2026 through VOX Distribution.
Why this Cairo premiere matters
This is a first for Emirati cinema at CIFF and a signal that UAE films are stepping onto older, tougher stages. CIFF is one of the region’s longest-running and FIAPF-accredited “A” festivals, so a slot here points to quality and ambition rather than hype.
- First Emirati feature by a female director to premiere at CIFF
- FIAPF “A” category status underscores global standards
- Recognition for UAE independent cinema and its growing voice
CIFF’s endorsement puts BAAB in front of industry eyes that measure films on craft, not passport. For the UAE scene, the move is both symbolic and practical: it builds credibility, attracts co-production interest and widens the audience for local stories. For readers tracking regional festivals, see our look at the Sharjah International Film Festival’s 2025 edition.
The story: grief, sound and the space between
BAAB follows a woman mourning her twin. Tinnitus haunts her, pulling her between memory and imagination. Silence carries meaning; the desert becomes a mindscape. The result is a dark psychological drama with roots in Arab folklore.
- Setting: remote mountains of Ras Al Khaimah
- Language: Arabic with English subtitles
- Running time: 90 minutes
- Genres: drama, mystery, dark fantasy
- Tagline: “Some doors should remain closed.”
Rather than chase spectacle, BAAB uses sound and absence to build tension. Tinnitus isn’t a plot gimmick; it’s the character’s inner weather. That choice turns the UAE’s stark landscapes into a pressure chamber where grief distorts reality.
The craft: global team, focused intent
Two-time Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman composes his first score for an Arabic film. Rogier Stoffers ASC, NSC (Quills, School of Rock, Mongol) shoots with sharp contrasts and textured light. The creative pairing aims for a film that feels intimate yet cinematic.
- Music: A.R. Rahman, first Arabic-language score
- Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers ASC, NSC
- Writers: Masoud Amralla Al Ali, Nayla Al Khaja
- Leads: Shaima Al Fadl, Huda Alghanem, Meera Almidfa
- Producers: Nayla Al Khaja, Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Jude S. Walko
Rahman’s score binds sound to sorrow, while Stoffers frames emptiness as presence. It’s an approach that matches the script’s restraint: fewer words, more texture. The result should live in your ears as much as on the screen.
Production in the UAE, ambition beyond
BAAB was filmed entirely on location in the UAE with a crew of more than 140, including over 20 Emiratis in key creative roles. It’s backed by the UAE Ministry of Culture’s National Grant for Culture and Creativity and produced with Dark Dunes Productions.
- Shot fully in the UAE, centred on Ras Al Khaimah
- 140+ artists and technicians; 20+ Emiratis in core teams
- Backed by national cultural funding and private producers
Keeping production at home does two things. It roots the film in place, and it builds capability for the next slate of projects. Regional craft departments get harder problems and more screen time, which is how an industry grows.
Release plan and credits to know
Following festival premieres, BAAB is set for a wide MENA theatrical rollout in early 2026 via VOX Distribution. That’s notable reach for an independently financed Emirati feature.
- Distributor: VOX Distribution for MENA
- Theatrical window: early 2026 across the region
- Production company: Dark Dunes Productions
- Key cast: Shaima Al Fadl, Huda Alghanem, Meera Almidfa, Sabiha Majgaonkar, Mansoor Alnoamani
For UAE cinemagoers, the VOX network means broad access once BAAB exits the festival circuit. If you’re planning your screen time, keep an eye on our regular “what to watch” guides, like Netflix in November for MENA.
FAQs
What is BAAB about?
A woman grieving her twin sister drifts between memory and imagination, with tinnitus as a constant presence. The film uses sound and silence to explore loss, identity and the edge of the unseen.
Who is directing BAAB?
Nayla Al Khaja, the UAE’s first female filmmaker, directs and produces. She co-wrote the screenplay with Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Why is the Cairo premiere significant?
It’s the first Emirati feature by a female director to premiere at the Cairo International Film Festival, a FIAPF “A” category festival. That matters for visibility and credibility across the Arab world and beyond.
Who is on the creative team?
A.R. Rahman composes his first Arabic-language score. Cinematography is by Rogier Stoffers ASC, NSC. Producers include Sultan Saeed Al Darmaki, Nayla Al Khaja and Jude S. Walko.
When will BAAB release in the UAE?
After festivals, BAAB will roll out theatrically across MENA in early 2026 via VOX Distribution.
