By Alina Simra Pasha
KUWAIT: A summer dream that began with one camera has grown into a student-led media organization showcasing young talent in Kuwait. Direct Tales Media, established in August 2024, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young actors, filmmakers, and musicians who primarily create English-language content.
The organization is led by Bader Al-Bloushi, a student at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in English program. The idea for Direct Tales Media came after Al-Bloushi joined a project by filmmaker Dana Al-Qattan. Initially, the two planned a joint venture to create a short film, but when Al-Qattan moved abroad to pursue her master’s degree, Al-Bloushi decided to carry the vision forward. Al-Qattan continued to support the initiative as an advisor.
“I wanted to do something that summer. I wanted to make the most of it,” Al-Bloushi said.
Building a Team
The first challenge was bringing together a reliable team. Among the first collaborators was Leala Palado, a friend and makeup artist who had worked with Al-Qattan. They met through a mutual friend in spring 2024.
“Over the course of our friendship, we not only learned how to work together but also how to work with other members of the community,” Palado said.
After observing her commitment and consistent presence on set, Al-Bloushi invited Palado to join Direct Tales Media as Vice President. “Our friendship grew positively and progressively over time on and off campus. With both of us having non-stop working minds, we tend to seek inspiration in every outing or activity,” Palado said.
Careful team selection enabled Direct Tales Media to complete three projects: Music, Beach Love, and The Brother, with two additional projects currently underway. Each project aims to tell a story with a purpose.
Music centers on two siblings debating which song to play, highlighting the loyalty of today’s superfans and drawing playful comparisons between Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar. Beach Love, screened at Backstage Group’s first Cinematic Short Film event, channels 1930s nostalgia into 2025 with a comedic story about two friends falling for the same woman. The Brother tackles deeper themes, examining societal hypocrisy in conservative cultures and the gap between public values and private behavior.
Overcoming challenges
Success has not come without obstacles. “The process of making Beach Love was tough,” Al-Bloushi reflected. “It was our first major film with a larger crew, and we had not really found our footing yet.”
Filming outdoors in Kuwait’s intense heat added to the difficulties, along with occasional absenteeism and tardiness. These remain ongoing challenges, and maintaining team motivation and optimism continues to be a struggle.
“We have a lot of moments where we lose momentum, and it usually comes with burnout,” Al-Bloushi explained.
Early on, breaks were only taken after projects were completed. Recently, Direct Tales Media implemented scheduled breaks during ongoing projects, prioritizing the staff’s well-being. The breaks allow some departments to rest while others continue based on workflow and project demands.
“I always loved filmmaking and will continue to love doing it, but it is a matter of tough skin and staying sane within a chaotic environment” Al-Qattan said. “It can and will take its toll. It’s a lot of hard work. But most of the time, when you get to the other side of it and see the end product, it can feel like pure magic”
Beyond producing films, Direct Tales Media has leveraged the support of the AUK. They took on marketing responsibilities for the play The Washing Machine, helping promote the production and boost its visibility. The organization also launched a student club at AUK to engage the campus community.
“Kickstarting the Media Club helped us find students interested in the filmmaking field and the university helped in providing us a space to host our Jazz Night, garnering a lot of attention and new faces to Direct Tales Media.” Al-Bloushi said.
Asked about what it takes to succeed as a young filmmaker in Kuwait, Al-Bloushi offered practical advice.
“Work with people you trust to be committed to your project, to your goals. Be consistent — if you lose consistency, you and your team are at risk of losing motivation,” he said. “But know that it’s alright to take a break. Opportunities come from conversation and having the courage to show your presence to people.”
