Building on a series of global recognitions, Halal Dreams, the newest short film by Mohammed Mamdouh, Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), is set to premiere this November at the New York Short Film Festival.
This emotional docudrama has already garnered numerous international awards in the USA, Thailand, and Russia. It is also scheduled to appear at the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles, the London Global Film Awards, and the Sokcho International Food Film Festival in South Korea.
Set against the backdrop of a chilly night in New York City, Halal Dreams tells the story of an Egyptian halal cart vendor struggling to maintain a connection with his daughter while managing life in the ever-busy city.
“This story, for me, is about distance and belonging,” said Mamdouh. “Even when we are far from home, there are things that keep us anchored — the people we cherish and the memories we hold.”
The film has been widely acclaimed, earning Best Docudrama awards from the Los Angeles Short Film Award, Ural Shorts International Film Festival in Russia, and the Bangkok Movie Awards. It also received an Exceptional Merit distinction from the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival in California. Remarkably, it was one of just 15 films selected from over a thousand submissions for the Sokcho International Food Film Festival in South Korea.
Halal Dreams follows the success of Mamdouh’s earlier short, The Keyboard — penned by his wife, Jumana Radi, executive producer at Electric Lime Films — which has been officially selected at more than 30 international film festivals, winning nine awards, including Best Experimental Film honors in New York, Tokyo, and London.
“These accolades mean a great deal,” Mamdouh expressed. “They remind me that the stories we craft here in Sharjah can resonate with audiences everywhere.”
In addition to filmmaking, Mamdouh brings over 19 years of experience in the UAE’s media industry, covering film, advertising, brand management, and education. At AUS, he teaches film production, screenwriting, AI, documentary film, and media systems, nurturing a new generation of visual storytellers.
