Meet Nebal Shafi

We were lucky to catch up with Nebal Shafi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nebal, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Honestly, it’s been a challenging question for me. I believe that since childhood, I’ve sensed this odd, creative side within myself. Perhaps the turning point was when my parents enrolled me in dance classes at the age of 6, sparking something significant. Initially, I disliked the weekly dance sessions due to my lack of flexibility or interest. But as I improved and put in more effort, receiving praise for my talent became incredibly rewarding. Fast forward a few years, I found myself choreographing and crafting short films extensively. The feedback I received from viewers about the emotions evoked by my work was deeply gratifying. It’s a humbling experience to impact an audience, not by manipulation, but by inviting them to empathize with my art, comprehend its true essence, and be emotionally moved. I believe that is my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hey there, I’m Nebal Shafi, a filmmaker now based in Los Angeles. Although I was born in India, I grew up in Saudi Arabia. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been hooked on movies, getting lost in their stories for hours. I’ve always found myself drawn to the creative side of things. Whenever I faced a problem, I’d express myself through some form of art. Initially, it was dance that allowed me to pour out my emotions, performing on stages across India, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

But my interest shifted to the world of cinema after watching interviews with filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and David Fincher, and seeing the behind-the-scenes magic of the films I loved. That’s when I realized the incredible world behind the camera. My filmmaking journey took a big leap when my first short film got lucky and was selected at a film festival. The positive feedback spurred me on to create more—short films, commercials, and dance videos—taking on roles as a director, writer, performer, and producer.

I completed my MFA in Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy, and these last couple of years have been a crash course in learning everything about filmmaking. But the most important lesson for me has been figuring out what kind of filmmaker I want to be—one who entertains and moves people emotionally through my art.

Right now, I’m teaming up with my long-time partner, Hyunjin Lee, on our latest project called “Flower,” a psychological horror short film set to drop next year. Additionally, I’m working as an associate producer for “Here She Comes,” a dark comedy feature film directed by Marta Perez Coca.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think as a filmmaker, the most vital things I’ve learned are the drive to keep learning, practice, and putting in hard work. I’m always diving into research or checking out behind-the-scenes stuff just to soak up information. Sometimes, the most random things I come across spark ideas for my next story.

They say practice makes perfect. Whenever I spot a cool new visual technique in a film, it gets me excited to try it out myself—not just for inspiration but to stay updated with what’s trending. When I look back at my older movies, I always feel like I could have done better. For me, improvement comes from practice and avoiding making the same mistakes again.

Then comes the hard work part. The film industry isn’t an easy ride. Sometimes, the stories I love might not be what people want to see. But I see it as a challenge. I dig deep into research, practice relentlessly, and work hard until I create something that connects with the audience. It might not always hit the mark, but I know my next project will be even better.

Movies have this incredible ability to stir emotions, and I aim to tell stories that offer people a fresh perspective. That’s why I consider these qualities—learning, practice, and hard work—super important in my journey as a filmmaker.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The best thing my parents did was believe in me. When I was expected to pursue engineering, my creativity led me to dance and realize I’m an artist at heart. Sharing my dream to become an artist and later a filmmaker worried them, but they supported me. They wanted me to get a degree, and during college, I found my passion for filmmaking. Despite the steep fees at the New York Film Academy, my dad backed me with a bank loan and helped with expenses. Their unwavering support shaped who I am today, always believing in my passion despite the challenges.

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