Middle Eastern content creators unveil bold short films in collaboration with YouTube
DUBAI: Some of the region’s most celebrated content creators — including Bahrain’s Omar Farooq, the UAE’s Anas Bukhash, Morocco’s Taha Essou, Palestine’s Haifa Beseisso and Egypt’s Sherif Nabil — have premiered powerful short films in collaboration with YouTube to mark the platform’s 20th anniversary.
“For years, creating and distributing entertainment was limited to major studios. Today, we’re at an inflection point — YouTube creators are the entertainment industry’s new startups,” said Tarek Amin, YouTube’s regional director for the Middle East, Africa and Turkiye, during the premiere in Dubai this weekend.
These creators, who amass billions of views across their channels, showcased deeply personal stories that transcend borders and languages, highlighting YouTube’s role as a platform for emotional storytelling and global connection.
The shift reflects a wider trend across the region with YouTube creators across the Middle East and North Africa rapidly becoming entertainment startups.
