Hala Galal is a filmmaker and the founder of SEMAT Production & Distribution, an initiative that aims to support independent cinema in Egypt for which she served as the executive director for ten years. Hala has taken up many responsibilities in the filmmaking community, from initiating independent cinema education opportunities and giving guest lectures to serving as a jury member on several film festivals. She has directed more than 15 films and produced more than 10. Her latest documentary From Cairo took home the Best Non-Fiction Film Award at the 2021 Cairo International Film Festival, the Jury Award at the 2021 Malmo Arab Film Festival, and the Best Documentary Film Award at the 2021 Jerusalem Arab Film Festival.