Professor Mohammed Mamdouh’s critically acclaimed docudrama, ‘Halal Dreams,’ continues its remarkable journey across the global film festival circuit with its upcoming premiere at the New York Short Film Festival this November. The film, which has already garnered multiple international awards in the USA, Thailand, and Russia, is also slated for screenings at the Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles, the London Global Film Awards, and the Sokcho International Food Film Festival in South Korea. Set against the backdrop of a frigid New York City night, ‘Halal Dreams’ poignantly portrays the life of an Egyptian halal cart worker striving to maintain a connection with his daughter while navigating the relentless pace of urban life. Mamdouh, an Assistant Professor at the American University of Sharjah’s College of Architecture, Art and Design, shared that the film explores themes of distance and belonging, emphasizing the enduring ties to loved ones and cherished memories. The film has earned widespread acclaim, including Best Docudrama awards from the Los Angeles Short Film Award, Ural Shorts International Film Festival in Russia, and the Bangkok Movie Awards, as well as an Exceptional Merit distinction from the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival in California. Notably, ‘Halal Dreams’ was one of only 15 films selected from over a thousand submissions for the Sokcho International Food Film Festival. This success follows Mamdouh’s earlier short film, ‘The Keyboard,’ written by his wife, Jumana Radi, which has been showcased at more than 30 international festivals and won nine awards, including Best Experimental Film honors in New York, Tokyo, and London. Beyond his filmmaking achievements, Mamdouh brings nearly two decades of experience in the UAE’s media industry, spanning film, advertising, brand management, and education. At AUS, he mentors aspiring visual storytellers, teaching courses in film production, screenwriting, AI, documentary film, and media systems.