Zenofar Fathima redefines Dubai cinema with thrills and real talk

While some film-makers stick to tired formulas, Zenofar Fathima is out here ripping up the rulebook, and loving every minute of it. From thrillers with a twist to calling out the dark side of digital fame, this Dubai-based disruptor is serving up bold stories and building a platform that dares to put overlooked voices front and centre. Forget playing it safe, she’s rewriting the script entirely.

Her upcoming film Kaze the Wind promises a pulse-racing ride rooted in lived experience. “Kaze was actually inspired by true events,” Zenofar reveals. “Every aspect of the story is based on real-life experiences. The audience can expect suspense, thrills and an emotional journey that feels personal because it is. There’s a powerful lesson at the heart of the story that I’m truly excited to portray.”

But that’s just the beginning of her 2025 slate. Like Share Die, another film in the pipeline, dives into influencer culture with a horror-thriller twist. Zenofar says she was drawn to the theme because “how misunderstood influencer culture can be. People don’t see the pressure, the mental and emotional challenges, the need to stay constantly relevant.” The film tackles identity, validation, digital obsession and the dark side of fame, all wrapped in a genre that keeps you on edge while making you reflect.

Even as she preps these releases, Zenofar is quietly building The Reel Files, a digital platform aimed squarely at emerging film-makers. But this is no random upload-and-share portal. “My vision is to create a space where new filmmakers can showcase their unique interpretations and storytelling styles,” she explains. The innovation? Curation by some of Bollywood’s biggest names, directors and actors Zenofar is bringing on board to help identify the most compelling submissions.

“There’s a growing demand for authentic, original voices,” she says. “Now is the right time to create space for bold storytellers.” Zenofar’s ambition is not only to spotlight these fresh perspectives but to bridge the gap between newcomers and established industry heavyweights, something she feels has been missing from the film ecosystem.

The development process itself has taught her key lessons about storytelling in the digital age. Younger viewers, she says, “are quick to scroll but crave authenticity, emotion and relevance, even in short bursts”. That challenge has sharpened her craft: “Condensing an entire narrative into 60 seconds felt almost impossible at first. But I learned to embrace those limits, strip away the unnecessary, and let the visual language do more with less.”

Her passion for creating opportunities for others drives her relentless work ethic. “Juggling multiple projects is challenging, but my passion for storytelling and uplifting new voices keeps me going,” she says. Each project she takes up is a way for her to “explore creativity and growth”, while building something meaningful.

Being based in Dubai, Zenofar says, has profoundly influenced her work. “Dubai is a melting pot of stories,” she says. “Its diversity, innovation and cultural richness have constantly inspired me.” The city’s dynamic environment allows her to create narratives that reflect real issues, challenge perspectives and bridge communities. “As someone who values meaningful, socially driven narratives, I’ve found it to be the perfect place to connect with a wide range of audiences,” she explains.

With Dubai emerging as a global creative hub, she believes its film scene is just getting started, and she’s eager to be part of its evolution. “Dubai is a place where you can experiment, collaborate with talent from all over the world, and build something truly unique,” Zenofar says.

Her ambitions remain clear and focused. “More than anything, I want audiences to walk away feeling something deeply — awareness, empathy or reflection,” she says. Whether it is Kaze the Wind and Like Share Die or short films on The Reel Files, her work is united by a common thread: illuminating what too often goes unseen or unspoken.

“By the end of this year,” she adds, “I hope my work helps people see the world a little differently — through fear, empathy or simply a deeper understanding of the human experience.”