Biography
Basma Khalifa is a Sudanese writer/director based in London and raised in Northern Ireland. Across all her creative outlets from her work Basma aims speaks to cultures, heritage, and sectors within society which she feels mould our future. In 2017 Basma fronted her BBC3 Doc ‘Inside the real Saudi Arabia…and Why I had to Leave’ which reached an audience of over 15 million worldwide and earned her a nomination for best newcomer at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Basma regularly contributes to various outlets such as BBC News, CNN, Sky News, ITV News and written for outlets such as The Independent, Stylist, The Guardian, and The Times etc. In her commercial work Basma has directed commercials for brands such as Meta, Apple, BBC and an Alicia Keys film for Bridgerton. This year Basma launched her own creative and production studio named Zola Studios which aims to create opportunities for directors and writers of SWANA descent in the hope for more representation across the Arab and African regions as well as cultivate and create community sharing events and dinners. Basma is currently in post production for her first feature length documentary which she both self-shot and directed. She is in development for her first scripted series endeavour and is wrapping post production on her written and directed short film. Basma recently also shadow directed on Emmy award winning show Slow Horses on Apple TV. Along with this Basma has a long-standing relationship as a Women For Women ambassador. Basma regularly consults for brands and speaks on panels regarding representation and being a multi-disciplinary creative.
