Arab Media Forum Explores The Impact Of Human Stories In Film And Digital Drama

The Film and Gaming Forum, part of the Arab Media Forum 2025, hosted a session titled "City of Stories." Organised by the Dubai Films and Games Commission under the Dubai Media Council, it featured Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa. Ahmad Abdullah, Director of Dubai TV Channel, moderated the discussion, which attracted directors, content creators, and professionals from film and digital gaming sectors.

A teaser for "City of Life Continuum," the sequel to Ali Mostafa’s 2009 debut "The City of Life," was shown at the Arab Media Summit. The original film was a milestone in UAE cinema as it was the first local production to achieve box office success. This coincided with early efforts to establish a domestic film and TV sector in the country.

During the session, Mostafa emphasised that only Emirati directors can truly capture Dubai’s essence. "We know our traditions, and if a foreigner wants to do an Emirati film, we should be the ones doing it—of course, depending on the story," he said. He highlighted that Dubai is full of untold stories waiting to be shared.

The director also discussed plans for future projects, hinting at a potential third instalment or a series based on "The City of Life." He mentioned creating a series with 10 episodes featuring different nationalities living in Dubai. "Even if I don't do part three, I could make a series," he stated.

Another forum session titled "The Rise of Drama in the Digital Age" explored how Arab drama is evolving with technology. Moderated by Al Arabiya’s Sarah Dandrawi, it included Egyptian director Mohamed Sami; Tariq Al Ibrahim from MBCI and MBC Drama; and Ahmed Qandil from Shahid. They discussed how technology reshapes storytelling while human stories remain central.

Mohamed Sami noted that while platforms have changed viewing habits, successful drama still relies on human stories reflecting family life and social realities. "The Arab world loves human stories—dramas that reflect family life and social realities," he said. These narratives resonate deeply across cultural lines both regionally and internationally.

Creative Freedom in Digital Storytelling

Tariq Al Ibrahim highlighted that digital platforms offer more creative freedom than traditional TV. They allow bolder storytelling due to audience segmentation and viewer control. He stressed that strong writing is crucial for any successful production regardless of platform or format.

Al Ibrahim explained that effective content creation requires alignment among all involved parties—from writers to platform executives. This collaborative synergy ensures creative success by delivering content resonating both creatively and commercially.

Data-Driven Production Choices

Ahmed Qandil emphasised matching regional productions with international standards in quality and storytelling to stay competitive globally. He pointed out how data influences production choices—from story type to release schedules. "Today, it’s about reading the numbers—understanding what audiences are watching," he said.

The panellists agreed on the importance of using audience insights for guiding decisions about content creation processes effectively.

With inputs from WAM