Description
Mariam Al Awadhi is an Emirati filmmaker whose work explores themes of kinship, memory, and culture, told through a lens rooted in the Arab world yet resonant with universal audiences. With a background in Multimedia Design from Zayed University, Mariam has steadily built a body of work that reflects her passion for authentic storytelling and her ability to blend visual artistry with emotional depth.
Her directorial debut, Mum (2017), produced under the Arab Film Studio Documentary Program by ImageNation Abu Dhabi, won Best Documentary Film at AFS and went on to screen at more than 20 international festivals. It received the Best International Documentary Film Award at the Georgia Documentary Film Festival (2019) and was officially selected at prestigious platforms such as the RiverRun International Film Festival, Silk Road International Film Festival, Tallgrass Film Festival, and Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. The film also earned recognition at regional festivals, including Jury Awards at Al Ain Film Festival (2019) and Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (2020).
In 2021, Mariam was selected for the Arab Film Studio Scriptwriting Program, where she developed and wrote Grandma’s Teeth, a short film script that won Best Film Script (2022). Building on this success, she joined the Arab Film Studio Narrative Program (2023), where she wrote, produced, and directed her short narrative film Umm Salama the Matchmaker (2024), further establishing her voice as a filmmaker capable of navigating both documentary and fictional storytelling.
Her early works also include competition films such as Jooti, which won 2nd Place and Best Production Value at the BEA 48-hour Film Competition (2017), and Share Your Happiness, which earned 4th Place at the Happiness Film Award Competition by the UAE’s National Program for Happiness & Wellbeing (2018).
Mariam’s filmmaking is marked by her ability to extract depth from ordinary moments, often focusing on intergenerational relationships, cultural heritage, and the resilience of women. She describes her approach as one that seeks to “hold on to stories before they fade” weaving together emotion, memory, and identity into films that travel beyond borders.
Beyond directing, Mariam has honed her skills as a writer, editor, and producer, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the filmmaking process. She values collaboration and mentorship, often drawing inspiration from creative communities while nurturing her own distinct voice.
Her work has been described as intimate yet expansive, deeply personal to her Emirati roots, while universal in its emotional impact. With multiple awards, festival screenings, and a growing portfolio of films, Mariam continues to shape her path as one of the emerging storytellers of her generation.
She is currently developing new projects that build on her interest in narratives of memory, belonging, and the evolving role of women in society.
Special Skills & Experience
Mariam Al Awadhi is an award-winning filmmaker whose experience bridges documentary, narrative, and scriptwriting. She has built her craft through hands-on practice in every stage of production, developing a unique blend of creative vision and technical execution.
Her expertise lies in story development and direction, with a particular ability to translate cultural and personal themes into compelling cinematic experiences. She has experience leading productions end-to-end: researching and shaping ideas, writing scripts, planning shoots, and managing crews on set. Mariam is equally strong in post-production, with advanced skills in editing and motion graphics to bring her stories to life with precision and emotional impact.
She is proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Final Cut Pro, allowing her to combine narrative depth with polished visual style. These tools, paired with her multimedia design background, give her an edge in creating films that are both technically refined and artistically resonant.
Her work has been recognized internationally, including awards for Mum (Best Documentary, Arab Film Studio 2017; Best International Documentary, Georgia Documentary Film Festival 2019) and Grandma’s Teeth (Best Script, Arab Film Studio 2022). In addition, her projects have been screened at more than twenty festivals worldwide, proving her ability to create stories that connect with audiences across cultures.
Mariam’s strengths include scriptwriting, directing actors, visual storytelling, creative problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication. With experience in both independent and collaborative settings, she is adept at balancing artistic intent with production realities, ensuring her films remain authentic, impactful, and festival-ready.
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Family, Historical