AUS student wins Best Cultural Film Award at international film festival

Documentary captures the story of the UAE's first female teacher, as told by her granddaughter

A documentary by American University of Sharjah (AUS) student Noor Al Qasimi has won the Best Cultural Film Award at the Mannheim Arts and Film Festival in Germany, adding to a growing list of international recognitions for AUS student filmmakers.

The film, titled The First (al-Ūlā), was created as part of a third-year documentary production studio at the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD). It tells the story of Sheikha Nama bint Majid Al Qasimi, the first female teacher in the UAE and Al Qasimi's grandmother. Framed as a personal letter from granddaughter to grandmother, the documentary reflects on her life and legacy, honoring the role she played in opening the door for generations of women in education.

"Creating The First has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my journey as a filmmaker and as a granddaughter. Telling the story of my grandmother, Sheikha Nama bint Majid Al Qasimi, the first Emirati female teacher, allowed me to connect my personal history with the cultural history of the UAE. As a Film and New Media Design student and emerging filmmaker, having my first documentary receive international recognition is deeply encouraging. This film is very close to my heart, and I hope it honors her legacy while inspiring others through the story of the woman who opened doors for generations," said Noor.

The film is also attracting strong interest on the international festival circuit. It has been invited to the official selection of a regional festival, with additional selections under consideration.

"Noor has worked incredibly hard to tell a personal and inspiring story in a truly unique and inspiring way that reflects an original voice. It’s hard to believe this is her first documentary, as the film reflects a level of maturity and craft beyond expectations. I look forward to seeing it recognized at even more international film festivals," said Assistant Professor Mohammed Mamdouh from CAAD's Department of Art and Design, who teaches film production courses at AUS.

Sheikha Nama’s legacy is also honored through the Sheikha Nama Majid Al Qassimi Endowed Chair in Education Across Disciplines, established at AUS in March 2022 by the heirs of late Sheikh Saoud Bin Khalid Bin Khalid Al Qassimi. The chair promotes interdisciplinary education, bridging the sciences and the humanities for a globalized era.

Noor’s award is the latest in a string of international awards and selections received by AUS film students. In the past three years, student work has garnered over 60 international festival recognitions, including 11 awards, alongside grants that have supported filmmakers in attending and participating in top-tier international festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival.

International juries have selected and awarded stories spanning a diverse range of themes, including phone scamming, the impact of regional conflicts on families, the immigrant experience and the journey of a young Emirati archer and AUS student balancing a career in archery with the pressures of full-time architecture study.

“I think part of what has helped our students’ work stand out is our strong, practice-led approach to film education,” said Mamdouh. “Throughout the year, students gain core narrative and visual storytelling skills, and each of their projects is assessed for strong narrative foundations before it can move into production. Students are asked to engage in hands-on filmmaking early on and to critically evaluate their own work and that of their peers. In a semester, they are typically presented with dozens of case studies, including award–winning industry films, and high-caliber AUS alumni and student creations. All of this helps them gain insight into the types of creative and production challenges filmmakers face day-to-day, and hone their craft in order to stand out in front of international juries.”

For more information about film, art or design programs at CAAD, visit www.aus.edu/caad/department-of-art-and-design.