Emirati animator Mohammed Saeed Harib is the creator of the acclaimed cartoon series Freej. Harib studied General Arts and Animation at Northeastern University in Boston.

Harib recently directed “Freej Folklore”, the largest Arabic theatrical production in the region. The show is set to tour neighbouring countries after witnessing great success in the United Arab Emirates.

Mohammed Saeed Harib at Kanye West’s “Cruel Summer” debut at the Cannes Film Festival.

He also directs Dubai International Film Festival’s opening and closing ceremonies and was enlisted as the cultural advisor for Kanye West’s “Cruel Summer”, shot recently in Doha. Currently, Harib working with 10 directors on an animated adaptation of Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet”, supported by Doha Film Institute.


DFI: How did you come up with the idea of Freej?
Harib: Honestly I didn’t think it would go that far, I didn’t imagine I’d do it because the region didn’t have any cartoon productions. It was a university project and I was inspired from real characters, mainly my grandmother. That’s how Um Khammas, Um Saeed, Um Allawi and Um Saloom and were created.
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I went from company to company to make this dream come true until, with the collaboration of Dubai TV, I received the financial support from the Sheikh Mohammed Establishment for Young Business Leaders who took on the initial funding of the project. In September 2006 the first season of Freej saw the light.
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DFI: What challenges did you face?
Harib: There were many obstacles. In the beginning I didn’t have the experience required.

I also had to convince certain organisations of what the young generation is capable of; it’s hard work to make certain authorities trust you and understand the importance of such work.

Also it is time consuming, from the concept to implementation. It took at least three years. It was also very hard to find writers and animators. It ended up being a ‘homey’ project when it launched.

DFI: But it went on to be so successful. Your characters even teach Fly Dubai passengers air-safety. Did you expect the success?
Harib: Not at all, I wanted to finish the project and it was hard to imagine the popularity of the series. When I started working on it, my dream was to produce a cartoon project only. And then one series led to the other.

DFI: How do you see the development of animation productions and cinema in the Gulf?
Harib: Cinema is not able to keep up with television; it’s not in our culture to go to the movies and most family members spend their time at home.

When it comes to my work, I aim for high cinematic quality. The only difference is the screening option, which is television.

The same applies to animation productions. It is a very specific craft that requires certain skills that are not always available in the region, and that people are not used to.

Many people are hopeful though about the future of animation in the Gulf. I’ve seen a production or two being produced every year since 2006, and this is great.

DFI: Any advice to young animators?
Harib: It’s such a tough field; it’s fun and requires tremendous work. But it’s all rewarding at the end.