How Culture Shapes Production
Panel · Day 1 · Thu 22 October 2026, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm · Aljada, Sharjah
How Culture Shapes Production is a panel exploring how cultural backgrounds and storytelling traditions influence the development of animated feature films. Ferdy Adimefe, CEO of Magic Carpet Studios, and Sofia El Khyari, animation director at Oneiris Animation, share insights from their work on The Passport of Mallam Ilia and Shehrazade's Birds, highlighting the creative decisions shaped by their unique production contexts.
Key points include the impact of cultural heritage on narrative choices, the ways production environments differ across countries, and how these factors inform the creative process in animation. By the end of this session, attendees will understand how culture shapes animated film production and gain perspectives relevant to international collaboration and storytelling.
- Sofia El Khyari — Animation director — Oneiris Animation
- Ferdy Adimefe — CEO — Magic Carpet Studios
- Khaoula Zouine — Managing Editor — Mt7rk