Ali Al Mouazen
Filmmaker, 2017
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Digital Film & Television
"Limkokwing University gives chances for youth to burst out their abilities, and stretches their skills to be creative and influence their goals. It made me more mature about the industry and gave more confidence to show the world how creative I am.”
09 November 2017
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Ali Al Mouazen is an award-winning film director, editor, photographer, and director of photography whose films have been nominated at many festivals around the world. He believes to succeed as a director and editor in the vast competitive film industry one has to possess true humility and integrity.
His passion for film was sparked at a young age when he used to watch his father work. “My father was a photographer and I used to tag along with him to see how he created beautiful images out of nothing. As years went by, he taught me how to be an editor.”
Learning the tips and tricks of editing and photography from his father was a very important period of Ali’s life, because that is when he grew an appetite to actively pursue filmmaking. He draws inspiration from Akira Kurosawa, filmmaker and editor who believes a good director is a great editor.
Born in Kuwait, Ali moved to Syria and studied until he finished high school. Right after graduating he began working at Can Studios. Due to strife in Syria, Ali moved to Malaysia in 2012 to pursue Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Digital Film & Television at Limkokwing University.
It was at Limkokwing where Ali had the opportunity to explore different kinds of projects that he said enriched his mind and raised his awareness on what he really wanted to do in life.
“I accomplished a lot during my studies in the University. From 2013 to 2015 I wrote, directed and edited about sixteen short films and television commercials.”
Some of his short films include Fortuna, Puppets, Prevision, Shadow of a Snake, Silent Minds, Identity, Paradox, Psyche and Empty Chairs. He made a corporate video about baseball in Malaysia and a television commercial for the International Baseball Tournament.
In 2015, some of Ali’s short films were nominated and selected for various festivals around the world.
His film ‘Psyche (The lady with the red hat)’ won the 11th Mini Film Festival in Malaysia. The same film was nominated at the Multiverse Film Festival USA and selected at India’s Goa Short Film Festival.
‘Who you are’ short film was selected in Austria at the Golden Diana Awards and twice in USA’s Clean Short Film Festival, and the Olive Tree International Storyteller Film Festival.
‘Who you are’ and ‘Paradox’ short films were nominated at the CDEMF Chengdu Environmental Protection International Micro Film Festival in China.
When asked about his greatest achievements Ali said, “Accomplishments that I’m most proud of are ‘My Shadow and I’ short film which was screened in Opera House in Damascus. I did an advertisement titled ‘Cham Wings Airlines’ for Watchtower. My short film ‘The Forgotten’ won best editor prize at TheModcon London Film Festival 2017.”
Apart from short films and television commercials, he shot three music videos in 2015 and 2016.
Ali applauded the experience he got at Limkowing University, because it enhanced his skills in writing and creative editing styles. “Limkokwing University gives chances for youth to burst out their abilities, and stretches their skills to be creative and influence their goals. It made me more mature about the industry and gave more confidence to show the world how creative I am.”
Currently, Ali is freelancing and working on his clients’ advertisements, video clips, documentaries and short films.
With the accolades he has packed under his belt, Ali defines success as being able to influence and make people happy with things one loves to do.
His advice to students was, “Get out of the box and make sure that your projects are proper enough to enter a film festival. Editing is a very good way to be creative. Try to make connections.”
