If glamour and glitz met activism, Zenofar Fathima would be at the forefront, seamlessly blending her dazzling on-screen presence with her unwavering commitment to social change. The filmmaker, movie producer, and actress, who is now working on her first large-scale OTT TV show Specter: Black Out, is widely known for her unique approach to storytelling that combines narrative with social commentary.
She cites her adoration for filmmaking, as well as her penchant for raising awareness through art as a seed that was first planted during her humble beginnings as a news journalist for a local Dubai news channel. “When I graduated from my Media, Communications, and Radio degree and got into journalism, I always found myself gravitating towards stories that could raise awareness and help people who may be facing similar issues in their own lives’, explains the filmmaker. “Together with my passion for creating content for visual mediums, came the aspiration to help make the world a better place, and the rest is history”.
The UAE Golden Visa recipient first dived into the waters of independent content creation with her star-studded TV show Food Addict, the first TV show in the Middle East to focus entirely on Pan-Asian cuisine and its unique tapestry of flavors. The show, which also featured Bollywood stars Madhavan and Rahul Dev alongside Fathima as the creator and anchor, premiered on Zee Middle East back in 2016. “It was an amazing experience alongside such immense talents, and was one of the first experiences that got me fascinated by the end-to-end process of professional content production,” explains the indie filmmaker.
Fast forward to 2018, and Zen Film Productions, Fathima’s UAE-based boutique film production company, was born. Leveraging her knack for meshing the visual word with a social message, Fathima went on to produce and direct several commercial projects as well as over twenty short films that tackled a myriad of social issues, from cyber extortion and domestic violence to Internet safety for kids. Her notable works, including ‘The Peril’ and ‘A Dark Tale’ have garnered critical acclaim for their gritty portrayal of societal challenges, with her COVID-19 short film trilogy also earning international acclaim. “I still remember the time when we shot the COVID-19 short films with just three to four crew members in total due to the restrictions in place. It is these memories that remind me of how versatile the filmmaking profession truly is,” said Fathima.
With Zenofar’s storytelling abilities proving themselves to be a powerful tool for initiating positive change in society, it is also her talent and dedication to the craft that has attracted the attention of both audiences and prominent figures of the industry. In 2022, Fathima collaborated with the legendary musician A.R. Rahman’s Expo City-based studio Firdaus Studio by A.R. Rahman, producing and directing the meta-spiritual short film ‘Ayah’. The project, which achieved international recognition during its international film festival circuit, bagged Best Short Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, among other accolades. Directed and conceptualized by Zenofar Fathima herself, ‘Ayah’ explores themes of spirituality, faith, miracles, and hope during the hardships in life, and will soon be available for public viewing.
Now scaling to new heights in 2023, Fathima has now ventured into the world of streaming services, with her producing her first OTT series, a psychological thriller series titled ‘Specter: Black Out’. The series, which also happens to be the world’s first-ever fictional escape room TV series, initially originated from a short social media film that gained unprecedented popularity online. ‘Specter’ sees viewers venture on a gripping journey into the mysterious world of an escape room, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. The thriller series’ first episode is currently available to stream on OTT platform Starzplay Arabia and was met with positive reception from audiences, with film critics even likening the series to James Wan’s Saw (2004). “Specter and the production value it holds as a concept is uncharted territory that I’m excited to explore as an artist, I’m as excited to see where it goes as my audiences are,” teased Fathima. The remainder of the show is expected to be released in early 2024 on Starzplay. Also in the works is Fathima’s all-new talk show, which will see her address an array of delicate topics relevant to multiple industries and individuals. Aptly titled Breaking the Ice, the show will see Fathima debate on taboo topics with guest speakers ranging from celebrities to socialites and more. The series is set to be aired on a to-be-disclosed OTT platform. From having her series ‘Specter: Black Out” teaser showcased on the billboards of Times Square, New York to being honored with the Most Influential Women Award for several outstanding contributions to cinema, it is evident that Zenofar’s influence extends far beyond traditional media, which has therefore led to her being able to create a lasting impact on a global scale. Often touted as a key trailblazer in the UAE film industry, Fathima is undoubtedly a prominent industry figure to watch out for.
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