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"AALY" CGI Animated Short Film

  • Abdelrahman M. Dawood
    Director
  • Abdelrahman M. Dawood
    Writer
  • Abdelrahman M. Dawood
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Runtime:
    1 minute 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 4, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Country of Filming:
    United Arab Emirates
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • AniMate Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    February 20, 2021
    Official Screening
  • Linea dombra festival
    Salerno
    Italy
    October 24, 2020
    Official Selection
  • TMFF

    October 31, 2020
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Abdelrahman M. Dawood

Abdelrahman M. Daoud (b. 1991) is an art director by day for HUAWEI and an animator by night. Born and raised in Jeddah, KSA, and based in Dubai, the half-Egyptian/half-Sudanese creative likes to make playful work with a message. Each of his lovingly-crafted stories shows a commitment to the community: be it inspiring equality across cultures, diversity in the Arab world, or greater care for nature.

A voracious learner, he controls every part of the production pipeline: from scripting, character design, and hand-sketching storyboards to modeling, animating, and directing. Abdelrahman holds a degree in Communication Science and Multimedia from the Sudan University of Science & Technology.

Inspired by the Japanese Animation Director Hayao Miyazaki, he began creating animated films to express thoughts and ideas that would encourage others to make the world a better place.

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Director Statement

"Aaly" tells the story of a mysterious robot doing what he loves best. Out of the vast, barren expanse of the desert, he finds something special—a sole plant, jutting out of the Earth. But what Aaly does with that plant creates even more questions for the viewer. A morality tale about what humans do with life and nature, Aaly encourages the audience to ponder what it means to live today: What is the impact of the machines we build? What do we treasure, and what do we destroy?

I wanted to create a story that was instantly recognizable but totally surprising. Seeking to present a world similar to my home in Sudan, but more extreme.

Every single part of the short film is lovingly detailed, modeled, textured, and animated by myself.