Film is not only an art, but a vocation – one that requires passion, determination, and creativity, but one that is also fulfilling. With the emergence of smartphones, anyone can make a film, but to truly understand the craft, there are some things that you can only learn under the tutelage of experienced practitioners.
Ask alumnus Ward Haidar and he’ll tell you just that. Born in Damascus, Syria, Ward travelled to Malaysia upon graduating from high school, to pursue his childhood dream of studying film directing, and graduated with honours. Today, he works as a freelance director with many production houses around the world and was recently involved in a Syrian comedy series as a director.
“I won many awards from international festivals and participated in several Syrian films. Amongst my latest work is the famous Spotlight series, with its 15th part, which brings together a selection of Syrian and Arab drama stars.”
Ward recently worked with one of the most famous production houses in Syria, pioneering the industry since the beginning of the 2000s, in various genres such as historical drama, comedy, and social drama.
“Studying Digital Film and Television at Limkokwing University was the first step for me as it was mostly practical work, and it paved the way for me to be ready to face the real world. With its diverse cultures and through mingling with many nationalities from around the world, being in a country that is as cosmopolitan as Malaysia shifts your perspective and helps you embrace all the environments and people around you.”
Ward shared about one of his most recent projects that he’s proud of, “It was the first time that I worked with such a big crew of more than 60 people as a director on a show that has been airing since 2001 and is quite famous around the middle east.”
“I am also happy about all the projects that I’ve done during my time at Limkokwing University, especially the documentaries we shot in unique places that can only be found in Malaysia, and I consider myself quite lucky and fortunate to experience such amazing locations and diverse stories that I was privileged to showcase as films for the rest of the world.”
Ward’s ultimate goal is to break barriers by showing his viewers all sides of a story they may have never been exposed to; to encourage different opinions even if it’s the slightest shift in their thinking process; and to reach a wider target audience.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ward.hr/?hl=en