Award-winning Faisal Hashmi shares his filmmaking journey, international success and memorable experiences, including documenting the devastating Pakistan floods, in an exclusive interview with The Brew News.
SHARJAH: From award-winning short films to global brand campaigns, Faisal Hashmi has carved a unique space for himself as one of the UAE’s most recognised independent filmmakers. In an exclusive interview with The Brew, Feature Editor Babar Siddiqui sat down with the Dubai-based filmmaker to discuss his creative journey, his passion for storytelling, his experience filming the devastating floods in Pakistan and what’s next for his career.
Named Independent Filmmaker of the Year by Digital Studio Magazine, Hashmi’s filmmaking journey began at a young age. At just 21, his short film Perfect Living was selected for the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner in 2011, giving him an early taste of international recognition and opening doors to the global film community.
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He followed that breakthrough with Bubble, which was screened at several international film festivals before winning Best Film at the Tunisia Human Rights Film Festival. The success established him as a filmmaker with a strong visual style and an ability to tell stories that resonate across cultures.
Over the following years, Faisal Hashmi found his creative calling in the horror and thriller genres. His acclaimed short films Scrambled, Cold Feet and Sleight were screened at more than a dozen horror film festivals across the United States, Europe and Asia, earning multiple awards for their gripping storytelling and cinematic execution.
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His work has also built a loyal online audience, with his short films collectively attracting more than 600,000 views on YouTube. Beyond independent cinema, Hashmi has successfully combined storytelling with commercial filmmaking, creating branded content for some of the world’s biggest companies.
Among his notable projects was a documentary commissioned by Dubai Tourism for the #myDubai campaign, which premiered during the Dubai International Film Festival in 2014. Over the years, he has also collaborated with leading brands including Emirates, VOX Cinemas, ASUS, Samsung, Fujifilm, GAP and Crate & Barrel, producing visually engaging campaigns that place storytelling at the heart of every project.
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During his conversation with The Brew, Hashmi also reflected on documenting the catastrophic floods in Pakistan, sharing how the experience reinforced the power of filmmaking to capture real human stories and preserve moments that matter. Looking ahead, he revealed that he is developing an independent horror feature film alongside several ambitious short-film projects, while continuing to work as a freelance filmmaker with agencies and brands seeking cinematic, narrative-led content.
Watch Faisal Hashmi share his inspiring journey, his experiences filming the Pakistan floods and his vision for the future of independent filmmaking.
Babar Siddiqui is the Features Editor at TheBrewNews.com, where he covers stories spanning the environment, culture, and technology. A naturally curious storyteller with an adventurous spirit, he is passionate about exploring ideas that shape the world around us. Beyond the newsroom, Babar finds inspiration in nature, embracing its quiet moments as a source of reflection and creativity.
Connect with him to follow his latest work and insights.
aisal Hashmi flood Pakistan Faisal Hashmi flood Pakistan
