Ema Shah () (born 7 June 1981) is a

Kuwait Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia and the geopolitical region known as the Middle East. It is situated in the northern edge of the Arabian Peninsula at the head of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to Iraq–Kuwait ...

i singer, composer, pianist, guitarist, actress, writer, dancer, and director. Her father is Kuwaiti of Iranian descent, and her mother is

Iranian Iranian () may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Iran ** Iranian diaspora, Iranians living outside Iran ** Iranian architecture, architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia ** Iranian cuisine, cooking traditions and practic ...

. At the 2014 Winter Film Awards in New York City she won the award for Best Music Video, she won Best Short International Film at the 2016 North Hollywood Cinema Festival, she received five awards at the 2013 Best Shorts Competition in California, she won Finalist Best Short Film at the 2013 Back in the Box Competition, and she received six nominations at the Best Shorts Competition and one in the 2014 St Albans Film Festival in the UK for her music video "Masheenee Alcketiara". In 2012, she sang to the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Prince

Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah Nasser Al-Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (, born 22 December 1940) is a Kuwaiti politician who served as Prime Minister of Kuwait from 7 February 2006 until resigning on 28 November 2011. Early life Sheikh Nasser was born on 22 December 194 ...

, a song of the Kuwaiti heritage sung by

Abdel Halim Hafez Abdel Halim Ali Shabana (), commonly known as Abdel Halim Hafez (, ) (21 June 1929 – 30 March 1977), was an Egyptian singer, actor, conductor, businessman, music teacher and film producer. Abdel Halim is considered to be one of the greatest ...

Career

Early life

Shah studied opera, photography, and film. She has attracted attention through her activism, radical views, humanitarian and often controversial points of view, and eccentricity. In addition to being a founding member and president of the troupe Anthropology, she is a member of Team Force of the Rising Sun for brides in Kuwait, the Kuwait Cinema Club, the National Democratic Youth League, the Kuwait Democratic Forum, the Dubai Community Theater, the Kuwaiti Human Rights Association, and Club Business and Professional Women in Kuwait.

Theater

She made her debut stage appearance in ''Silence'' by

Harold Pinter Harold Pinter (; 10 October 1930 – 24 December 2008) was a British playwright, screenwriter, director and actor. A List of Nobel laureates in Literature, Nobel Prize winner, Pinter was one of the most influential modern British dramat ...

, followed by ''The Rhinoceros'' by

Eugène Ionesco Eugène Ionesco (; ; born Eugen Ionescu, ; 26 November 1909 – 28 March 1994) was a Romanian-French playwright who wrote mostly in French, and was one of the foremost figures of the French avant-garde theatre#Avant-garde, French avant-garde th ...

2004, ''The old women and the poet'' by Yukiomicemia, ''Debate between night and day'' by Mohammed Affendi Al-Gazairi, the clown "Monodrama Bantomim" (at the Mediterranean People Festival-Italy), and ''The Meteor'' by Dorinmat. In 2006, Ema established her group "Anthropology", joining actors from different nationalities, with performances, spectacles, and songs in different languages, including

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

, English, French, Japanese, and Spanish. She has performed as a singer, pianist, composer, and actress at various local and international events.

Films

In 2011, she starred in a short movie called "Swing". She also acted on a short movie called ''Mooz'' (Banana). The film containing sexual allusions won the jury prize at the

Dubai International Film Festival The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF, ) was the largest film festival in the Arab world, Arab region. With particular emphasis on showcasing Arab cinema, Arab, Asian cinema, Asian, and African cinema, it also helped to develop industry a ...

Music

She composed a collection of musicals inspired by books like "Jesus, the Son of Human", and '' The Prophet'', written by

Gibran Khalil Gibran Gibran Khalil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931), usually referred to in English as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist; he was also considered a philosopher, although he himself rejected the title. ...

, and performed them using piano and guitar at the

Kuwait National Museum The Kuwait National Museum is the national museum of Kuwait, located in Kuwait City Kuwait City (; ) is the capital and largest city of Kuwait. Located at the heart of the country on the south shore of Kuwait Bay on the Persian Gulf, it is ...

. She has also sung covers for many well-known and international artists. She took part in the musical ''We can not write on a black page''. Her singles include "Shah", about her grandfather Shah Khan. She has sung lyrics written by, amongst others, Lebanese

Elia Abu Madi Elia Abu Madi (also known as Elia D. Madey; 'Lebanese Arabic Transliteration: , .) (May 15, 1890 – November 23, 1957) was a Lebanon, Lebanese-born American poet. Early life Abu Madi was born in the village of Al-Muhaydithah, now part o ...

, Saudi Malek Asfeer, and Australian Miranda Lee.

Controversy

Ema sparked a big controversy after singing "

Hava Nagila "Hava Nagila" (, ''Hāvā Nāgīlā'', "Let us rejoice") is a Jewish folk song. It is traditionally sung at celebrations, such as weddings, Bar and bat mitzvahs, and other Jewish holidays among the Jewish community. Written in 1918, it quickly ...

" in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

, which led to her being accused by some Islamic clerics of promoting

Zionism Zionism is an Ethnic nationalism, ethnocultural nationalist movement that emerged in History of Europe#From revolution to imperialism (1789–1914), Europe in the late 19th century that aimed to establish and maintain a national home for the ...

and normalization of ties with

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

. International news agencies, and Arab and Israeli media, covered the story and the ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...

'' ran an article about the affair under the headline "Diva blasted by Islamic clerics for singing in Hebrew at club" including reports of putting her on trial. There were also threats on her life. Shah explained that she sang the song as she wanted to go beyond borders, and break barriers in support of universal peace between nations.

Dancing

Shah competed in dancing

rumba The term rumba may refer to a variety of unrelated music styles. Originally, "rumba" was used as a synonym for "party" in northern Cuba, and by the late 19th century it was used to denote the complex of secular music styles known as Cuban rumba ...

at the Twin Cities Open 2019 in

Minneapolis Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

, reaching the finals. She danced different styles of silver–level rumba. They took second place in closed rumba, and third place in open rumb]. Below is the picture of a rare international duo: Gordan Bratt from Dancers Studio in

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 311,527, making it Minnesota's second-most populous city a ...

, dancing with Ema Shah, officially the first Arab dancer from Kuwait and the Persian Gulf, in history, to Latin dance competitively. The second competing: Ema was a 5x winner at the Embassy Ballroom Championship 28 September 2019 in

Irvine, California Irvine () is a Planned community, planned city in central Orange County, California, United States, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It was named in 1888 for the landowner James Irvine. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the ...

, Dancing with Fred Astaire Studio professional: Forrest Walsh from

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commerci ...

: 4X WINNER: Closed Gold Rumba 1st & 2nd Place: Open Silver Rumba 2nd Place: Open Gold Rumba 3rd Place: Open Gold Rumba

Filmography

*''MOOZ'' (Banana)- actress (2009) *''Swing'' - actress (2011) *''I wish we were Dancers - main actress'' (2011) *''Choose to See'' - Director "Music Video"(2012) *''Hey Mister'' - Director "Music Video"(2012) *''Masheenee Alcketiara'' - Producer, Director "Music Video"(2013) *''Aleqini'' - Producer, Director "Music Video" (2014) *''Who Killed $arah'' "Short Film" (2014) *''Nashi and Mira'' - main actress "Future Film" (2015) *''Bell'' - Producer, Director "Music Video" (2018) *''The Visitor'' - main actress "Short Film" (2019)

Discography

* The Poem And the old woman, 2008. * SYNC INFINITI, 2010. * Emagination, 2018. * In Love, 2019.

Awards

* The Youth Theater , Kuwait, **2004 - Best Second Actress *

Best Shorts Competition Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporatio ...

, USA, ''
Awards on IMDB
**2013 - Award of Merit Best Music Video **2013 - Award of Merit Viewer Impact: Entertainment Value **2013 - Award of Merit Art Direction **2013 - Awards of Excellence Concept **2013 - Awards of Excellence Viewer Impact: Motivational/Inspirational * Back in the Box Competition , USA, **2013 - Finalist Best Short Film * Winter Film Awards , USA, **2014 - Best Music Video * Horror Hotel: International Festival and Convention , USA, **2014 - 1st place music video * Twickenham Alive Film Festival , England, **2015 - International Drama Award: Special Mention Awar
Awards Ceremony 2014
* The Accolade Competition , USA, **2014 -

Award of Excellence An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

Music Videos **2014 - Award of Excellence Art Direction **2014 - Award of Merit Direction **2014 - Award of Merit Costume Design * WORLD MUSIC & FILM FESTIVAL , USA, **2014 - Best Music Video * The IndieFest Film Awards , USA, **2014 -

Award of Merit The Award of Merit, or AM, is a mark of quality awarded to plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The award was instituted in 1888, and given on the recommendation of Plant Committees to plants deemed "of great merit for exhibitio ...

Best Music Video * Global Music Awards (GMA) , USA, **2015 - Bronze Medal Female Vocalis
Awards on IMDB
**2015 - Bronze Medal Lyrics/songwriter "Aleqini" * The Northern Virginia International Film Festival , USA, **2015 -

Best Music Video The Grammy Award for Best Music Video is an accolade presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos. ...

"Masheenee Alcketiara" * Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards , Hollywood, **2015 -

"Masheenee Alcketiara" * St Albans Film Festival Nominations , England, **2014 - Best Music Video * Be Film The Underground Film Festival Nominations , USA, **2014 -

* Meters Film Festival Nominations , Russia, **2015 -

"Masheenee Alcketiara" * American Sephardic federation Award , USA, 2016 * North Hollywood Cinema Festival , USA, **2016 - Best International Short Film "Masheenee Alcketiara" * Mediterranean Film Festival , Italy, **2018 - Best Music Video/ International "Masheenee Alcketiara" * Chambal International Film Festival , India, **2019 - Best Music Video/ International "Masheenee Alcketiara" * Kapow International Film Festival , Hollywood, USA, **2019 - Best Music Videol "Masheenee Alcketiara"

References

External links

, Industry Rules Magazine - New York City, Interview With Ema Shah: 'I Wish We Were Dancers: Ema Shah' , English,

The Talk Magazine Interviewing Ema Shah , English,

alqabas.com.kw article

interviews with Ema on AL sabah Tv

Khabab site: Biography of Ema Shah

Annahar site

* ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6X76-SZJBQ interview with Ema Shah "alhurra TV – Very Close"
interview with Ema mbc TV

interview with Ema Shah Almarina FM Radio

* ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvBVyRTHjeg Winter Film Awards in New York - Best Music Video - Ema Shah
Lola Bastinado interviews Ema Shah in New York

Ema Shah on imdb

icandy TV interviews Ema Shah at Winter Film Awards Film Festival in New York

The Cinema Couch Interviews Ema Shah at Winter Film Awards Film Festival in New York

faisal almutar Interview with Ema Shah

alrai media celebrities "Kuwaiti Newspaper" Ema Shah Winner of Best Music Video at Winter Film Awards in New York

alrai media celebrities "Kuwaiti Newspaper" Ema Shah won 13 International Awards for her Music Video Masheenee Alcketiara

elfann Media - Ema Shah won 13 International Awards for her Music Video Masheenee Alcketiara

sashdesigns.com Exclusive : Who Killed Sarah? A very daring khaliji Movie Starring by Ema Shah

indieflix.com indie-filmmakers Sma Shah Bio

Ema Shah singing to the Prime minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah

alayam "Bahrain Newspaper" Ema Shah Winner of Best Music Video in New York

* ttp://www.annaharkw.com/annahar/Article.aspx?id=432447&date=23012014 annahar Kuwaiti Newspaper celebrities Ema Singing in Spain 2014
Ema Shah a guest on Kuwaiti Radio Station FM Regarding her at Clair-Obscur Filmfestival, Swaziland

alanba "Kuwaiti Newspaper": the sponsors of the movie who killed $sarah are "Enjaz" with the "Imagination" Abu Dhabi. new Upcoming Movie of Ema and it will be showing soon in Dubai international Film Festival

almshaheer "celebrities" Middle East. the Movie Who Killed $arah exposes the sexual abuse from family members

al-seyassah "Kuwaiti Newspaper": the sponsors of the movie who killed $sarah are "Enjaz" with the "Imagination" Abu Dhabi. new Upcoming Movie of Ema and it will be showing soon in Dubai international Film Festival

sabq "Saudi NewsPaper" spongers it Dubai international film festival and it Filmed in Kuwait. the producer is a saudi Arabian who brings up a subject about "sexual abuse from Family members

soqona "Dubai" a movie about "sexual abuse from family member" and the starring actress are Iranian and the producer are Saudi

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140911001758/http://nbaonline.org/proccess-newss-157852.html nbaonline - Saudi Arabian producers a film about "sexual abuse from family members" and the starring actress from Iranian Roots]
Chicago International movies and Music Film Festival to book a ticket to Attend the music video "Masheenee Alcketiara"

www.boxofficehero.com-event-ema-shah-masheenee-alcketiara-chicago-tickets

EMA SHAH's interview FM Radio 99.7 "the breakfast Show" , English,

albawaba.com/entertainment/kuwait-Kuwaiti crooner set to make records by singing in Hebrew!

Ema Shah presenting a Member of the Kuwaiti Council nation's democratic Mohammed Al Juwaihel with 14 languages
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shah, Ema 1981 births Living people Kuwaiti women singers Kuwaiti composers Women composers Kuwaiti women writers Kuwaiti people of Iranian descent 21st-century women singers 21st-century pianists 21st-century women pianists English-language singers French-language singers Japanese-language singers Spanish-language singers Hebrew-language singers Accordionists Xylophonists