Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra
The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra: A Tale of Musicians’ Resilience Directed by Firas Samir , this documentary series sheds light on one of Iraq’s most important cultural and artistic institutions: the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra . Over six episodes, we take you on a journey through the orchestra’s history and how it persevered despite the challenges and difficult circumstances the country faced. In this documentary, we explore the behind-the-scenes world of musical performance and hear the stories of musicians who lived through moments of cultural transformation in Iraq. The series reflects the band’s commitment to preserving and reviving Iraqi musical heritage despite volatile political and social conditions. Promotional advertisement for the documentary series – Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Information about the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra (A Journey of Resilience for Musicians) Series quality: 4K Year of production: 2024 Production: Babylon Gate Films LLC Prepared and directed by: Firas Samir Watch full episodes Follow the episodes via the following links on our YouTube channel: Watch the first episode (1) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Watch episode two (2) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Watch episode three (3) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Watch episode four (4) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Watch episode five (5) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra Watch episode six (6) – the documentary series – The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra We hope you enjoy watching this artistic journey, and that the story of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra inspires you.
برنامج “جهود خفية” – قناة الشارقة – (الحلقات الكاملة)
Hidden Efforts – A Documentary Series for Sharjah TV Hidden Efforts is a distinguished documentary program consisting of 15 episodes. Its first episode was broadcast on Sharjah TV on 25-4-2023. The program was produced by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and Television and executed by Babylon Gate Films under the supervision of director Firas Sameer. Program Content The episodes of Hidden Efforts explore various government institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, with each episode focusing on a specific institution. For example, the first episode covers Sharjah International Airport, while the second episode focuses on the Sharjah International Book Fair, and so on. The documentary series aims to shed light on the hidden efforts undertaken by these institutions to develop and support Emirati society. Production Process The program was produced within an intensive timeframe compared to other documentary programs. Producing documentary episodes involves numerous stages of preparation, filming, and post-production. The preparation stage includes conducting numerous interviews with the relevant authorities, in addition to researching the topics to be covered and carefully writing the episode script to ensure the presentation of accurate and engaging documentary content. Hidden Efforts Program Promotional Trailer Episode (1) – Sharjah International Airport Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode One – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (2) – Sharjah International Book Fair Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Two – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (3) – University of Sharjah Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Three – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (4) – Planning and Survey Department Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Four – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (5) – Sharjah Police Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Five – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (6) – Sharjah Customs Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Six – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (7) – Restoration of Antiquities (Sharjah Institute for Heritage) Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Seven – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (8) – Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Eight – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (9) – Sharjah Municipality Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Nine – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (10) – Civil Defense Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Ten – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (11) – Sharjah Awqaf Department Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Eleven – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (12) – Commercial Development in Sharjah Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Twelve – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (13) – Archaeological Excavation (Sharjah Archaeology Authority) Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Thirteen – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (14) – Sharjah Water Treatment and Distribution (Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority) Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Fourteen – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform) Episode (15) – Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park Episode Trailer – Trailer Full Episode Fifteen – Hidden Efforts Program (on Maraya Platform)
Stay +ve خليك ايجابي (Shot with iPhone 11 Pro Max)
Stay +ve – Shot Entirely on iPhone 11 Pro Max Stay +ve is our new ad which was totally produced at home using only an iPhone 11 Pro Max, directed by Firas Sameer. During these tough times when we are spending the majority of our time at home, boredom is the most common feeling. Having that said, we need motivation to push our moods positively so we can truly enjoy our time at home. This video aims to show how you can motivate yourself on a daily basis by combining working from home, spending quality time with your family, and enjoying your hobbies like reading or other activities you love. Long story short: be positive while staying at home. Hope you enjoy the video! Share this video with your friends using the links below!
Chromosome – Emirati Feature 2020
Chromosome – كروموسوم (2020) Chromosome is the new Emirati feature film written and directed by Ali Jamal. Produced in Dubai, Chromosome is considered the first Emirati movie to incorporate strong drama and action scenes, breaking away from traditional cinematic releases in the region. The film stars Ali Jamal as the main character, alongside well-known Emirati actors including Abdullah Saed Bin Haider and Noora Al-Abed, supported by Saif Manzoor, Jawaher Mohamed, Belal Merza, Sayed Safdar Reza, Fouad Al Qahtani, Mohamed Abdul Razzaq, and Adil Ibrahim. Chromosome – Official Trailer 2020 The DOP for the project was Shahram Kareem and the production manager was Ahmed Hussien. The full post-production of the movie was performed by Babylon Gate Films LLC (Firas Sameer) including: Video editing. Sound editing (fixing and mixing). Visual effects (VFX). Sound effects (SFX). Color Correction & Color Grading. Subtitling. 5.1 surround sound. DCP conversion. Trailer editing. Poster design. Chromosome 2020 Official Poster
Bitaa Kullu 2020
Bitaa Kullu – بتاع كلو (2020) Recently, the editing and post-production processes for the new Emirati feature movie titled (Bitaa Kullu) have been completed. The film was produced by Xmovies and written and directed by Ahmed Zain. Our participation and audio/post-production services at Babylon Gate Films LLC for this feature film were led by Firas Sameer and included: Audio corrections Adding sound effects Full audio mixing Selecting and adding music scores Adding Foley SFX Converting all audio to 5.1 surround sound Full movie translation and subtitling Converting the movie to DCP for cinema release Bitaa Kullu stars popular social media actors alongside cast members including Hani Al Masri, Ibrahim Al Muraisy, Mohammed Al Kindi, and Khalid Naji. The movie was released to cinemas across the UAE on January 2, 2020. شاهد الدعاية الرسمية للفيلم Watch the Official Trailer
Election Campaign For Adil Ismael Al Zarouni
Election Campaign Video Production – Adil Ismael Alzarouni One of our video productions, covering creative concepts, directing, and full post-production, was created for the Emirati candidate Adil Ismael Alzarouni during his 2019 election campaign. We shot the entire video using a green screen setup based on an original concept developed by Director Firas Sameer, who also served as the lead post-production editor for the project. Watch the Final Video Here is the final video produced for the election candidate campaign:
I Don’t Know
I Don’t Know – Short Film (2019) “I Don’t Know” is our new short film which was released in 2019 theatrically. It was shot in April 2019 and directed by Firas Sameer. The film addresses how a childhood upbringing environment impacts a human being positively or negatively, accompanied by deep surreal details. Read more in the director’s statement below. Festivals & Awards I Don’t Know Official Poster I Don’t Know Official Trailer I Don’t Know Short Film Details Tagline: When you don’t know that you don’t know. Film Genre: Drama, Horror Release Date: 2019 Starring: Regan Tetlow, Denis Pereverzev, and Ethan Tannous Script: Moh Sattam Hasan DOP: Krishnan VS Makeup: Gita Photographer: Omar Ghazwan Sound: Abdul Aziz Location Manager: Yousef Abu Laban Editing & VFX: Firas Sameer Directed by: Firas Sameer I Don’t Know – Behind the Scenes Director’s Statement Story and the Theme The story of the “I Don’t Know” short film revolves around a poor laborer who has lived his entire life in poverty and misery, rebelling and seeking revenge against his past to determine his unknown destiny against his antagonist—the manager of the factory where he works. Throughout the film, we witness how the protagonist accesses an area he never dreamed of entering: the factory manager’s office. Along his path, he discovers symbolic truths about life and death, destinies, wealth, and poverty. Combining elements of Drama, Action, Mystery, and Sci-Fi over an 11-minute runtime, the film unfolds as an adventurous revenge mission. The core concept is to surrealistically depict a life perspective through the eyes of someone in poverty, reflecting how human history is often driven by circumstances beyond individual control rather than personal choice. Director’s Vision As a director, I believe constructing a unique storytelling approach is crucial—especially after working closely with the scriptwriter and developing the narrative elements. Human history is filled with tragic accounts of poverty, daily hardship, and suffering; while I don’t intend to be overly pessimistic, this represents a tangible aspect of our shared reality. I structured the film by manipulating time and setting (balancing past and present), while dividing the environments into two distinct worlds: one representing poverty and the other depicting wealth. Color palettes were chosen to evoke specific emotional responses for each realm, while key visual symbols invite audience reflection and discussion. The musical score is crafted to help viewers not only see the story through the laborer’s perspective, but genuinely feel it. To convey the protagonist’s internal struggle, sadness, uncertainty, and hesitation, I utilized extreme close-up shots of the actor’s face as he contemplates entering the factory manager’s office. Backward camera movements emphasize his profound isolation, while the climax highlights a decisive shift in his fate. Simple black-and-white visual transitions further anchor his connection to a different temporal realm. Conversely, the rich man’s world presents a sharp contrast in every visual aspect. Altering the orientation of the Statue of Liberty figure with blood introduces subtle themes of freedom versus servitude. Through this film, I aimed to foster empathy and self-reflection, encouraging audiences to appreciate what they have and motivate one another to extend help to those in need, regardless of scale. Director / Firas Sameer
Déjà vu – Frank Rubaie رأيته مسبقا – فرانك ربيعي
Déjà vu – Music Video Clip “Déjà vu” is a music video clip performed by Frank Rubaie, a classical guitarist from Canada specializing in flamenco guitar playing. The music piece was recorded and produced by Babylon Gate Films along with all musical arrangements. When we completed the Déjà vu audio production in-house, we started envisioning a music video clip for it. Firas Sameer developed a storyboard tailored to the music’s theme and title, arranging for the ideal dancer and production crew to complement the “Déjà vu” track. Shooting took place across three locations in Dubai (including 1 outdoor location and 2 indoor sets) and was successfully completed in a single day. Prior to filming, we collaborated with professional flamenco dancer, teacher, model, and choreographer Yuliya Baykova. She contributed her expertise to design the choreography alongside Frank based on Firas’ vision. We held three dancing sessions to refine the performance and train Frank and Yuliya on their synchronized movement. Awards And Official Selections As another milestone, the “Déjà vu” music video won the “BEST DANCE VIDEO Award” at the Consonance Music Film Festival – Hollywood USA 2018: https://www.moviescreenpro.com/consonancefest The “Déjà vu” music video clip has been officially selected for several international film festivals in their music video competition categories. Four festivals have selected the video so far, including the Jersey Shore Film Festival and the CaribbeanLens International Film Festival—Where Hollywood Celebrates the Caribbean! Official Selection Laurels The concept for Déjà vu was structured to align dynamically with the 3-minute musical progression. The narrative depth and high production standards combined to make it an award-winning project recognized internationally. Déjà vu Trailer Déjà vu Music Video Clip Credits Directed By: Firas Sameer (إخراج – فراس سمير) Model & Choreographer: Yuliya Baykova (موديل وتصميم رقص – يوليا بايكوف) Makeup Artist: Alina Bikchurova (مكياج – ألينا بكجوروفا) DOP: Firas Sameer (مدير تصوير – فراس سمير) Camera Assistant: Joas V. Andrade (مساعد كاميرا – جوآس في اندرادي) Photographer: Omar Ghazwan (مصور فوتوغرافي – عمر غزوان) Guitar Performance and Acting: Frank Rubaie Percussions: Firas Sameer (إيقاعات – فراس سمير) Music Production: Firas Sameer (توزيع موسيقي – فراس سمير) Location Manager: Ahmed Talib Chker (مسؤول مواقع – أحمد طالب شقير) Editing, Grading & VFX: Firas Sameer (مونتاج وتلوين وغرافكس – فراس سمير) Sound Effects: Firas Sameer (مؤثرات صوتية – فراس سمير) Here is the final music video clip of Déjà vu by Frank Rubaie: Déjà vu – Frank Rubaie رأيته مسبقا – فرانك ربيعي
اسطورة الغناء العربي – فيلم وثائقي قصير
أسطورة الغناء العربي – The Legend of Arabic Singing اسطورة الغناء العربي – فيلم وثائقي يتحدث الفيلم (ومدته ٤١ دقيقة) عن تاريخ القيصر كاظم الساهر بطريقة سلسة وجولة فنيه تجعلك لا تشعر بمرور الوقت ، ويجدر الذكر ان المعلومات والتقارير والانجازات التي ذكرت في الفيلم تمثل الشيء البسيط من تاريخ القيصر الطويل لذلك استخدمنا الشيء البسط فقط لايصال فكرة ورسالة الفيلم. الفيلم يوصل رسالة ان القيصر كاظم الساهر استحق وبكل جدارة لقب اسطورة الغناء العربي وكل المواد المستخدمه في هذا الفيلم تم الحصول عليها من شبكة الانترنت لكن منتجت وقطعت بطريقة سلسة تحمل الرساله التي اسلفنا بذكرها. فكرة الفيلم والمونتاج الكامل ومكساج الصوت والترجمة : فراس سمير (Babylon Gate Films) نترككم مع الفيلم الوثائقي اسطورة الغناء العربي. The Legend of Arabic Singing – a documentary film. The film (41 minutes long) talks about the history of Kathem Al-Saher in an artistic way that makes you enjoy the passage of time. It is worth mentioning that the information, reports, and achievements mentioned in the film represent a simple part of the artist’s long achievements history, so we used only simple highlights to convey the idea and the message of the film. The film conveys the message that Caesar Kathem Al-Saher fully deserved the title of the legend of Arabic singing, and all the materials used in this film were obtained from the Internet, but used under fair use. Film idea, full editing, sound mixing, and translation: Firas Sameer (Babylon Gate Films) We leave you with the documentary The Legend of Arab Singing. Watch the Documentary
Allayah Furniture TV Ad
Allayah Furniture TV Commercial One of the TV ads I have worked on recently is the “Allayah Furniture TV Ad.” This story-driven advertisement follows a loving wife who dedicates her thoughts to cultivating a lifestyle that brings joy and refreshment to her entire family after choosing to furnish her home with Allayah Furniture. Full video editing, color correction and grading, sound mixing, and titling were performed by Firas Sameer from Babylon Gate Films, with the commercial directed by Swabri from Strawberry Ads. Allayah Furniture TV Ad