Our first Lebanese Christmas 💛🍂🇱🇧
Delicious food, cold weather that keeps you cosy and lots and lots of family time. Feeling grateful and full (in every sense of the word). Couldn’t have asked for more. Happy end of 2025 everyone, it’s been emotional. ❤️🎉
Very happy that ‘The Enemy Within’, the short film I directed earlier this year, is screening tonight at the Lebanese International Short Film Festival in Hamra. Moments like these remind me how grateful I am to be part of the filmmaking community in the Arab world, a region with such a wonderful & rich cinematic heritage. It means even more to share this work in my adoptive home of Lebanon, a place I’ve grown deeply connected to through my wife and her culture.
A huge thank you to @sharjah_paa for their continued support, and to @kassemistanbouli and @tiro.arts for giving the film the opportunity to be screened. Grateful for every step of this journey.
The Enemy Within
Director: Me
Writer: @rachidsabitri
Cast: @omar_raashed , Nada Deabes, @lydiaa_philips , @razannaouf , @abdelazizhaggag & @amine_echchafi - Graduates from @sharjah_paa
Producer: @bassem.vii
Executive Producers: Benedict Ayrton & Peter Barlow
DOP: @amgad_alahmar_dp
1st AD: Sayed Mousavi
2nd AD: Thoraya Farzana
Art Director: @mennaghazzala & @msmarart
Set Decorator: Marwan Faris
Gaffer: Roy
Sound: Ahmed Fadi
Stylist: Duaa
HMU: Mau Piodina
and many more wonderful crew members.
Had such a lovely time sketching this self-portrait at a workshop today. It’s been a while since I created something just for myself, and it reminded me how refreshing it is to let imagination flow freely. No plans, no pressure, just curiosity. Sometimes it’s not about the result at all, just the quiet joy of seeing what appears when you give yourself the time to breathe.
And just like that, she’s now 1 years old. One year ago today, you arrived and changed everything. This year has been filled with laughter, wonder, and love we never knew we could feel. Without a doubt, the best year of our lives.
Happy 1st birthday to our little sunshine, our curious explorer, our Naya. ❤️
Four years in and I’ve had the privilege of watching our incredible students at @sharjah_paa grow into extraordinary artists, collaborators, and storytellers. And now seeing our graduates step into the world and create inspiring work has to be one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Now we begin Year 5, and I can’t wait to see what this next batch of brilliant students will achieve. Here’s to more movies, more breakthroughs, and more memories ahead.
Naya’s first summer has been one of pure discovery, and not just for her, but for us too.
From long Scottish evenings spent with family to wandering through the rolling Welsh valleys, from dancing in the park with friends in Bristol to sunny days with grandparents and aunties in Kent, she’s been surrounded by love in every corner of the UK.
Every moment has felt new through her eyes; the sweetness of freshly picked summer fruit, the joy of feeling the cold wind on her face, the laughter of friends and family holding her close. What could be ordinary has become extraordinary again, because she’s seeing it all for the very first time.
There’s so many more summers to come, but this first one will always be the sweetest. ❤️
Back in the studio.
Together again.
The four of us.
For the first time in 4 years.
It’s surreal, emotional, and absolutely thrilling to say…Season 5 of @redvalleypod is officially in production! So much to share about this epic final season and so much to record. Look out for more info soon. #redvalleypod
Bursting with pride for all our 2025 @sharjah_paa graduates. You’ve grown into bold, generous, and fearless artists and I’m honoured to have walked a part of this journey with you. You’ve inspired us all, now go inspire the world. Can’t wait to see what you create.
My first Father’s Day. I still can’t quite believe I get to be her dad. Naya, you’ve changed everything. The way I see the world, the way I understand love, and the way I want to live. Being your father is the greatest honour of my life, and doing it all with your incredible, hilarious, and slightly sleep-deprived mama, Hened, makes it even better. Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dad’s out there. ❤️
That’s a wrap! 🎬 As a teacher, there’s no greater joy than seeing your students become your peers. As a director, there’s no greater gift than a cast & crew that believes in the work. Thank you all for your creativity, your trust and for making this film something I’ll carry with me for a very long time. Now on to the edit!
The Enemy Within
Director: Me
Writer: @rachidsabitri
Cast: Omar Ahmed, Nada Deabes, Lydia Phillips, Razan Naouf, Abdelaziz Haggag & Amine Echchafi - 4th Year Graduates at @sharjah_paa
Producer: @bassem.vii
DOP: @amgad_alahmar_dp
1st AD: Sayed Mousavi
2nd AD: Thoraya Farzana
Art Director: @mennaghazzala & @msmarart
Set Decorator: Marwan Faris
Gaffer: Roy
Sound: Ahmed Fadi
Stylist: Duaa
HMU: Mau Piodina
and many more wonderful crew members.
