For Emirati Women’s Day 2026, the Roman Maison presents an original short film exploring the strength, wisdom and sense of identity passed between generations.
One woman’s influence can travel through generations, shaping how those who follow understand themselves and their place in the world. This idea guides Bvlgari’s latest Emirati Women’s Day campaign, which honours the women whose lessons, values and encouragement continue to leave a lasting imprint.
Created in partnership with Emirati cultural visionary and Cinema Akil founder Butheina Kazim, the campaign centres on the original short film كل ما تتمنين The Girl I Needed. Through an intimate story of identity, memory and belonging, it considers how the wisdom of earlier generations can guide a woman as she grows into her own sense of self.
The film follows a young Emirati woman named Mariam from childhood into adulthood. Her journey is not presented as a simple progression towards confidence. Instead, empowerment unfolds gradually through moments of uncertainty, courage, reflection and self-acceptance.
As Mariam grows, the values carried by the women around her become part of the person she is becoming. Their influence can be felt in her choices and in the way she learns to accept her identity. The narrative recognises the quieter forms of resilience that often exist within families, where strength is passed on through guidance, example and ancestral knowledge.
The campaign reflects the 2026 Emirati Women’s Day theme, “Together, We Rise Stronger and Better,” announced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation. It celebrates the collective journey of Emirati women and the role they continue to play as leaders, mentors and builders of future generations.
For more than six years, Bvlgari has marked Emirati Women’s Day through storytelling initiatives dedicated to the lives and achievements of women in the UAE. This year’s film continues that commitment while placing the emotional bond between generations at the centre of the conversation.
The Girl I Needed was written and directed by Taqwa Bint Ali, whose work explores human experience, emotion, culture and identity. The filmmaker approaches the story with sensitivity, allowing its message to emerge through personal moments rather than grand declarations.
The production was created in collaboration with Studio HARAKA, a multidisciplinary studio whose work draws upon movement and the cultural rhythms of the Gulf. Its distinctive visual language brings a sense of place and authenticity to the film while supporting its reflective tone.
Butheina Kazim served as executive producer, with Osama Mutasem as producer and Anas Alkassim as director of photography. Lead actress Mariam Shamma brings the central character’s emotional evolution to life, completing a film that celebrates not only individual strength, but the women whose presence helps make that strength possible.
