In making films, I'm constantly looking for people who are in conflict and who are going to surprise you and challenge you.

As the world is getting smaller, it becomes more and more important that we learn each other's dance moves, that we meet each other, we get to know each other, we are able to figure out a way to cross borders, to understand each other, to understand people's hopes and dreams, what makes them laugh and cry.

Being a filmmaker is kind of like being a glorified spy.

Al Jazeera is one entity that everyone across the Arab world watches. Arabs are proud of that.

Al Jazeera is demonized by the United States, yet in Egypt my father would be watching it.

It's important in any project to remain focused.

It's incredible to see the creativity, beauty and hardships people capture when filmmaking is opened up and shared with the world.