Mustafa Abbas is an Emirati film-maker. Originality has always been his goal. 100 Miles his short film won the Best Non- Documentary Film Award at the 2007 Emirates Film Competition. The Alley his other short film was selected to play in the short film corner section of the Cannes Film Festival. Some of his trademarks are portraying dark characters in a good light, and using birds for symbolism. Abbas has written several feature- length screenplays. Some are currently in development. Other than being crime-based, his films often have a “modern-noir” feel, due to the gritty dialogue and shadowy lighting. Abbas has had many articles written on him in local magazines and newspapers, and also been interviewed on TV as a writer/director. At the age of 12, he started toying around with handycams, and shooting films with his friends on weekends. Little by little, it became a vital part of his life. The main and possibly only source of inspiration for Abbas is human beings. Like the film industry in the United Arab Emirates, his name is growing.