Ashraf Ghori | |
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![]() Ashraf Ghori in Dubai, 2010 | |
Born | Mohammed Ashraf Ghori 17 September 1973 Hyderabad, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Area(s) | Filmmaker, director, comic book artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
Notable works | Xero Error, Antara |
Awards | World Economic Forum – Excellence Award, 2015 Herald Global & ERTC Media – The Industry's No. 1 Award in Art, 2024 Digital Studio Awards – Best Upcoming Filmmaker, 2011 Made in UAE Awards – Distinguished Achievement Award, 2011 |
https://www.ashrafghori.com |
Mohammed Ashraf Ghori (born 17 September 1973), is a Dubai-based Indian comic book artist, filmmaker and entrepreneur.[1][2] He is best known for creating UAE's first CGI science fiction film Xero Error [3][4][5][6] a futuristic cyborg thriller[7] which was shown at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival.[8][9] and as the artist behind UAE's acclaimed Arabic Graphic Novel Antara.[10] He is the CEO and founder of digital design agency Xpanse CGI.
Ghori moved from Hyderabad, India to Dubai, UAE at the age of 2.[5][11] His first professional work appeared in the pages of magazines published by Khaleej Times. He was a regular illustrator for Young Times from 1989 until 2001.[12] Ghori graduated from the University of Houston, Texas in 1994.[13]
Ghori was on the judges panel for the Kuwait Arab Advertising Awards for the years 2006 and 2007.[citation needed]
In 2007, he founded digital creative agency Xpanse CGI in Dubai and started independent film-making with Xero Error in 2008.[14][15] Xero Error premiered at the 3rd Gulf Film Festival[16][17] and also played at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival and the 10th edition of Sci-Fi-London.[18] In 2010, Ghori was the Art Director for the first Indo-Emirati film 'Malal'.[19] He worked as Senior Digital Artist at Bayyinah TV from 2016 to 2017.[20][21] Ghori received the UAE Golden Visa in 2022 in recognition of his creative achievements in the country.[citation needed]
Ghori has produced work for comic book publishers including Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publishing.[22]
San Jacinto College in Pasadena Texas had organized a Comic Art Exhibit of Ghori's works in 1993. In 1994, Ghori was a founding member of Tempest Comics in Houston, Texas, and produced a 4-issue mini series 'Tempest Comics Presents'.[12][23] He was a featured comic artist at Dallas Fantasy Fair, 1994 (Dallas, Texas).[24]
In April 2012, Ghori was a featured guest, along with Alvin Lee, Lee Townsend and Yishan Li at the first MEFCC - Middle East Film and Comic Con in Dubai, UAE, and at the Middle East's inaugural IGN Convention in July 2013.[25] In 2013 Ghori was a contributing artist for Dark Horse Comics in collaboration with writer Alex De Campi.[26]
In 2015 Ghori collaborated with Arab rapper Narcy_(rapper) to create a mixed-media project called World War Free Now which combined music, video, and comics together.[27] A limited edition comic was released as a companion piece to Narcy's album. [28] In 2018 his work on Arabic graphic novel 'Antara' received critical acclaim as 'An Experiment Worthy of Praise' citing 'the versatility and sheer genius of the artist'.[29][30][31][32]
In 2023, Ghori was named as the Arts Ambassador for The Metaverse Arts Museum.[33]
Ghori is ranked as a prominent social media influencer in the UAE.[34][35] From 2011 to 2014, Ghori was the featured art influencer for Samsung's Note series. [36] In April 2014 Ghori was the social media ambassador for Ford Middle East's 'Stand Out' campaign for the MENA region[37] and again in 2015 to promote The Ford Mustang 2016 in the #ExperienceFord Social Media Campaign.[38] In April 2016, he was the face of Microsoft's #DoGreatThingsDXB Campaign to promote Windows 10 and launch Microsoft Surface Pro 4 in the Gulf.[39][40][41][42]
He is a frequent speaker at events related to design, film and entrepreneurship in the UAE.[43][44]