Q&A with NYFA Alum Nourah Al Hasawi, Founder of MENA digital platform INTAJCO

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

My name is Nourah Al Hasawi, and I am a filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur from Kuwait. My interest in filmmaking started at a young age through a love of storytelling, film, and the collaborative nature of the entertainment industry. In 2016, I attended the Young Filmmakers Academy at MetFilm School in London, which was a pivotal experience for me. It was the first time I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the filmmaking process, and it confirmed that pursuing a career in film was what I wanted to do.

Following that experience, I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to attend the New York Film Academy. I was drawn to NYFA because of its hands-on approach to education and its emphasis on learning through practical experience. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking in 2021 and later returned to complete my Master of Fine Arts in Producing for Film & Television in 2023.

My time at NYFA allowed me to explore both the creative and business sides of the industry while working alongside students from around the world. Beyond the technical skills and industry knowledge I gained, the experience helped shape the way I approach collaboration, leadership, and storytelling. Looking back, choosing NYFA was an important step in both my personal and professional journey, and it ultimately helped lay the foundation for the work I do today as a filmmaker, producer, and entrepreneur.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? 

Since graduating from NYFA, I've continued working on independent film projects while pursuing opportunities across film and television production. Most recently, I produced an independent narrative short film titled Give Up the Ghost, which is currently in post-production. We're now developing our festival strategy and plan to submit the film to the 2027 festival circuit.

Producing Give Up the Ghost has been an exciting experience and has allowed me to continue applying and building on the producing skills I developed at NYFA, from development and pre-production through production and post-production.

Alongside my filmmaking work, I've also been focused on co-founding INTAJCO, a platform designed to support film, television, and entertainment professionals across the MENA region.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about INTAJCO & how did the platform came to be? 

INTAJCO is a digital platform and industry database designed for the film, television, media, and entertainment industry across the MENA region. The platform brings together filmmakers, actors, production crew, productions, filming locations, equipment listings, casting calls, and industry resources in one centralized space, making it easier for professionals to connect, collaborate, and access the resources they need to bring projects to life. The idea for INTAJCO grew out of my experiences studying and working in the entertainment industry, as well as observing the rapid growth of film and television production across the MENA region. Through my work and experiences as a filmmaker and producer, I recognized the need for a centralized industry platform that could support the unique needs of entertainment professionals across the region.

As film and television industries throughout MENA continue to expand, there is increasing demand for accessible industry networks, talent discovery, production resources, and professional collaboration. This inspired the creation of INTAJCO, with the goal of building a platform that helps connect the people, projects, and resources that drive the entertainment industry across the region.

NYFA Alumni Network: How has your education at NYFA influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and platform development?

My education at NYFA had a significant influence on how I approach both entrepreneurship and platform development. As a producing student, I learned that successful filmmaking requires much more than creativity. It requires problem-solving, collaboration, organization, adaptability, and understanding the needs of the people you're working with.

Those same principles have shaped how I approach building INTAJCO. Producing films taught me how to manage complex projects, communicate effectively with diverse teams, and balance creative vision with practical execution. It also gave me firsthand experience with many of the challenges that film and entertainment professionals face when trying to connect, collaborate, and access industry opportunities.

One of the most valuable lessons I took away from NYFA was the importance of taking initiative and turning ideas into reality. That mindset has been invaluable throughout my journey as both a filmmaker and entrepreneur, and it played a major role in my decision to help create a platform designed to support and connect entertainment professionals across the MENA region.

NYFA Alumni Network: What opportunities do you see emerging in the MENA film and television industry today?

The MENA film and television industry is experiencing significant growth, creating exciting opportunities for filmmakers, actors, production crew, and entertainment companies across the region. Increased investment in the creative industries, the expansion of local and international productions, and the growing demand for regional stories have all contributed to the industry's rapid development.

One of the most exciting developments is the increasing number of international productions choosing to film in the region. Major films such as Dune, Dune: Part Two, Mission: Impossible, The Martian, Star Wars, and Kandahar have all utilized locations across countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the UAE, highlighting the region's unique landscapes, production capabilities, and growing infrastructure.

I also believe one of the biggest opportunities lies in the continued growth of local talent and original storytelling. We're seeing more opportunities for filmmakers and creatives to develop projects that reflect the diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences found throughout the region. As the industry continues to expand, there is tremendous potential for stronger regional collaboration, increased access to professional networks and resources, and greater global recognition of MENA talent and storytelling.