HayaKhairat

Haya Khairat is an Egyptian director, cinematographer and photographer.

She began working professionally as a photographer at 16 before entering the film industry in 2014. After studying Cinematography at Cairo’s High Cinema Institute, she worked across the camera department, becoming a lighting script and 1st AC on film and television productions. In 2019, her first short film as director of photography, Dark Chocolate, won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Cairo International Film Festival. That same year, she was honoured by Egypt’s Ministry of Culture as part of Ra’edat El Cinema El Masreya, recognising women contributing to the future of Egyptian cinema.

Khairat moved into directing later in 2019 while continuing to draw heavily on her cinematography background, developing a visual language rooted in human observation, naturalism and emotional honesty.

Her commercial work as a director has since received recognition across the region. Zero Tolerance Ribbon, an FGM awareness campaign which she directed and shot, received a Silver Dubai Lynx, while Emirates NBD’s Signs received another Silver Dubai Lynx and eight additional shortlists. Garnier Fast Clear’s Acne Decoded received a Bronze MENA Effie in 2024.

In 2025, two campaigns directed by Khairat received three further MENA Effie Awards: Majid Al Futtaim’s Falling in Love With City Centre won Gold in Families & Children, while Garnier Micellar Water’s The Myth-Busting Superhero! won Gold in Beauty, Fragrances & Fashion and Bronze in Influencer Marketing.

In 2023, Khairat became the first Egyptian to receive the Angénieux Special Encouragement Award at the Cannes Film Festival, recognising emerging cinematographers internationally. She has also served as a Sony ambassador for the MENA region since 2023.