AHLA W SAHLA
I’m Charbel, production year 1995.
My journey into production was never a straight line - it was more of a wild, winding road filled with a thousand paths that all emerged from the same place: a deep love for telling stories.
Growing up, I was never satisfied with mere reality. I found it bland, humble - and I simply wanted more. Soon enough, I began getting lost into the worlds of the characters I was watching on TV, and this is when I learned I had the power to feel and create a universe beyond my own experiences. It didn't take long before I produced and directed my first short film and submitted it to a festival, at 14 years old.
I knew then and there that I wanted to be in the thick of it all.
I pursued a film degree at Notre-Dame University and graduated in 2017 with a dual specialization: directing & cinematography. Along the way, I worked as a special effects makeup artist for a year, first assistant director for two years, and a content creator for another. I was even operating a boom at some point. All which reaffirmed the conviction in me that I want to expand my knowledge in all departments involved in creating a story. And it was in that belief that a decision was made to become the best producer I can be.
Narratively, I'm inspired by the traditions and culture of my beautiful country, Lebanon. From the intricacies of Lebanese folklore to our historic landscapes, I'm driven by the mix of the old world and the new. It's about capturing the essence of a place, its people, and their stories, while still embracing the world of modern filmmaking.
I moved to Dubai in 2021 and I could not be more thankful for the opportunities I’ve come across. I got to spearhead advertising campaigns for a number of brands, namely: Yves Saint Laurent, Johnson & Johnson, Bosch, Audi, Whoop, CR7, Etisalat, BEEAH, among others you can check out on my work page.
It’s been a great ride, and I’m just getting started.