Sheyma Buali is a producer and film programmer for the BBC’s Arabic service, and has been Festival Director of the BBC Arabic Festival of documentaries and short films since 2015. Currently, she is leading the festival into a new initiative, working with independent filmmakers on producing short documentaries for BBC Arabic television and digital platforms. Previously, Sheyma was also active in publishing as Commissioning Editor for Ibraaz Channel and Creative Time Reports as well as Culture Correspondent for Asharq AlAwsat focusing on film and visual arts from the Arab world. Sheyma has also been an organiser and programmer for the London Palestine Film Festival since 2011.