Community Stage - Hall 10
On the big screen, "One Thousand and One Nights" comes to life, igniting a sense of wonder through its tales of adventure, fantasy, and mystery.
From Sinbad’s daring voyages to Scheherazade’s captivating storytelling, these timeless narratives have transitioned from ancient manuscripts to modern films, shaping global perceptions of the East - sometimes as imagined by others, and at times how we envisioned it ourselves.
In this session, actor Mena Massoud will take us on a deep dive into how these legendary stories have influenced cinema, blending fantasy, adventure, and Hollywood’s portrayal of the East.
Actor, Producer, and Author
An Egyptian-Canadian actor who played small roles in his early career in 2011 until Disney chose him in 2017 for the lead role of Aladdin in the American movie "Aladdin".
He served as an ambassador for Egypt in the "Speak Egyptian" initiative aimed at preserving expats' Egyptian Arab identity. Moreover, Massoud has launched a non-profit organisation focused on supporting ethnically diverse artists to break into the industry in Canada before moving to LA.
Development Executive - Image Nation Abu Dhabi
Alia is a highly motivated development and production executive who has worked in film and television for over 8 years.
She is extremely passionate about writing and visual storytelling, as well as collaborating with other creatives on high-quality productions.