Mesocafé

JA’FAR ‘ABD AL-HAMID (Writer-Producer-Director)
Born in Iraq, Ja'far moved with his family to other parts of the Arab world before settling in London in the mid 1980s. While reading social sciences at the University of London, Ja'far began to assist in independent TV and radio productions in London. He was exposed to film production through 16mm film courses  at London's Lux Centre, Hoxton.

During his film studies, which culminated with a PhD in Film Adaptations in the Cinema of the Arab World, Ja’far worked on a number of TV and radio projects in London. He also produced and directed "Test Drive" (16mm) in 1999 and the short film "Eyes Wide Open" (16mm) which was finally edited in 2005. In addition, he wrote for the screen and directed "A Two Hour Delay" (BW 16mm) in 2000, which screened at a festival for independent cinema in Doha in 2001. Ja'far has also helped organise film festivals in London and the Gulf region.

PAUL HILLS (Executive Producer)
A writer, director and producer, Paul began to shoot Super 8 films in his early teens, becoming by the age of 15 a prolific maker of short films. His feature film career was launched with The Front Line, a crazy endeavour that was shot on weekends over a period of six month, and on a budget of £8,000. Upon its release, the film received much acclaim.

The Frontline was followed by the award-winning Boston Kickout, which screened at over 50 international film festivals, including San Sebastian, Tokyo and Cairo.  In 2010, Paul's latest film Do Elephants Pray? garnered several awards in film festivals around the world. Paul is currently overseeing the post-production of his latest feature The Power. 


DANIEL NUSSBAUMER (Production Designer)
Daniel is working as a Production Designer and Art Director in feature films, television dramas and commercials.

His credits include Oscar nominated "Jane Eyre" directed by Cary Fukunaga and Golden Globe winning "Luther" starring Idris Elba. More recently "The Woman in Black" starring Daniel Radcliffe, "Gravity" directed by Alfonso Cuarón, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, "The Power" directed by Paul Hills and "Broken" directed by Rufus Norris, starring Cillian Murphy and Tim Roth.

After a career in architecture and as an art director at the Opernhaus Zurich, Switzerland he moved to London in 2005. He graduated from Kingston University with a MA in Production Design for Film and TV in 2006.


NATALIE HOLT (Composer)
Natalie made the transition into a film composer from a career as a successful classical musician. After studying at the NFTS, she has worked on award winning blockbuster films, documentaries and animations. Natalie has contributed to the scores for Hannibal Rising and Stardust, Extraordinary Rendition, Psych 9 and Film 4’s The Crew. Natalie has recently composed four of the BBC’s 3-minute wonders Stop, Look and Listen series, for the Tiger Aspect pilot series The Things I Haven’t Told You, and upcoming Spanish animation Gato Encerado. Natalie also worked on the National Geographic documentary Twin Town.

ALESSIO VALORI (Director of Photography)
Alessio Valori is an Italian cinematographer based in London. His works have been shown in cinemas and TV channels worldwide, including his first feature film Rahil’s Secret, which screened in competition at the Raindance Film Festival in 2006. His second feature film Shooting Silvio was bought by 20th Century Fox. Alessio’s recent film work includes Seeing Heaven and How to Stop Being a Loser, starring Richard E Grant.

ARIJ AL-SOLTAN (Production Manager)
Arij acquired a degree in Media Production before embarking on a career of TV news and documentary production. In her various roles of producer, writer, director and production manager, Arij has had her work broadcast on BBC2, Aljazeera Children Channel, Showtime Networks, More4, France24 and ARTE. She currently is a producer at a major TV production house in London.

SCHUMAN HOQUE (Editor)
After dropping out of his engineering degree, Schuman began what he has described as ten-years to make it as a filmmaker. In the more than decade of being editor, writer, producer and director, Schuman’s work has encompassed TV, corporate and film projects. Recently, his short films have appeared in competition at the Edinburgh Film Festival, the SXSW and the Soho Shorts Film Festival. Schuman is currently in pre-production for his debut feature film, The King’s Men. 

JADE PAGE (Costume Designer)
Jade has been involved in numerous TV and film productions, including Do Elephants Pray?, K, and Me Me Me. 

Other Production Roles will be added shortly.