Mohamed Faisal Mostafa sets his sights on Hollywood
Mohamed Faisal Mostafa is pursuing a place among Hollywood’s leading actors while working to create more opportunities for Emirati talent at home.
The actor’s journey has taken him from professional football and business to Hijack, Khattaf and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three. Each production has strengthened his confidence in what an Emirati performer can achieve internationally.
Through MFM Media, his Abu Dhabi-based company, he is also addressing the practical challenges behind that ambition: finding representation, connecting filmmakers with investors and helping local talent secure the work they need to develop.
From the football field to film sets
Mostafa’s first experiences in front of a camera came as a child, performing stunts for home movies made by his older brother, filmmaker Ali Mostafa.
Their collaboration continued as Ali moved into feature films. Mohamed appeared in City of Life in 2009 and From A to Bin 2014, before taking a larger role in the post-apocalyptic thriller The Worthy in 2016. His credits also include the Emirati military action film Al Kameen.
For years, acting shared space with several other careers. Mostafa played professionally as a goalkeeper for Al Ain and Al Wasl, until serious injuries ended his football career. He also worked in finance, ran a digital transformation agency and participated in his family’s business.
Eventually, he committed to film full time, giving auditions and acting opportunities the focus they had previously competed for.
Finding confidence on international productions
An open audition in London for Disney’s live-action Aladdin helped Mostafa recognise the possibilities beyond the UAE. Although he did not secure the role, the experience made an international acting career feel achievable.
Finding British representation involved repeated approaches and rejection. A breakthrough followed with Apple TV’s Hijack, in which he played Abdullah, a Dubai air-traffic controller, alongside a cast led by Idris Elba.
The production also gave him room to contribute cultural knowledge. Working with director Jim Field Smith, Mostafa helped refine details of Emirati behaviour, including gestures used when greeting others.
On Dune: Part Three, he joined as a stunt performer. Villeneuve, aware of his acting experience, subsequently found opportunities for him to do more on camera.
Watching Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Jason Momoa prepare and work offered another valuable lesson: success at that level depended on habits and discipline he could develop himself.
Taking on the demands of a leading role
The 2024 drama Khattaf, directed by his brother, gave Mostafa the responsibility of carrying a series.
Playing an Emirati fighter navigating Asia’s underground combat scene drew on his sporting background and Muay Thai training. He also learnt demanding fight choreography with stunt co-ordinator Najmeddin Scorpion.
The emotional preparation required equal attention. Mostafa explored the character’s childhood and family relationships, gradually finding ways to respond through the character’s experiences.
“Acting is becoming,” he said.
That depth of involvement has shaped what he wants next: substantial roles that allow him time to build a character and take responsibility for a story.
Choosing roles that reflect his values
As his international opportunities grow, Mostafa remains selective about the characters he accepts.
He has declined potentially significant projects that reinforce stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims. His concern centres on how a story shapes its audience’s understanding, rather than whether a character is heroic or villainous.
Those decisions carry financial consequences now that acting is his full-time profession. Nevertheless, he regards representing his country and community as part of the responsibility that comes with being on screen.
His ambition is to broaden the roles available to Emirati actors while building a career consistent with his own identity and faith.
Building opportunities in Abu Dhabi
With support from Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority, Mostafa established MFM Media at Yas Creative Hub.
The company works across production services, product placement and Emirati talent management, drawing on experience he previously developed in business.
“I have to create my movies. I need to collaborate,” he said.
Funding is a central challenge. Mostafa is helping investors familiar with property and technology understand film production, distribution and incentives. He sees that work as a long-term effort.
The Dubai International Film Festival’s return on December 8 offers another place to connect filmmakers, performers and investors.
For Mostafa, a stronger independent film sector would give Emirati talent more consistent opportunities between major international productions. His own Hollywood ambitions remain firmly in view, alongside the work of helping the next actor find a clearer route into the industry.
