{{short description|Syrian composer (born 1980)}} {{about|the Syrian composer|other people named Layal|Layal (name)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Layal Watfeh | image = File:Layal Watfeh Portrait Photo.jpg | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|2|14}} | birth_place = Damascus, Syria | occupation = Composer, musician, voice actor | genre = Film score, classical, commercial, instrumental | years_active = 2002–present }}
'''Layal Watfeh''' (born February 14, 1980) is a Syrian composer, musician, and voice actor. Watfeh's work primarily consists of original film score for commercials, television, and film. Over two decades of work, Watfeh has won numerous international awards for her voice acting and original scores for television and film. Her style incorporates symphonic, orchestral tones as well as traditional Arab sounds. She has worked with major companies composing commercial music, including past clients such as Olay, T.G.I. Friday's, and Krispy Kreme. Besides recording music, she has also been a voice on many TV networks across the Middle East, such as MBC2, MBC4, OSN, Abu Dhabi TV, DMTV. Watfeh currently lives in Dubai.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rHT8LjR_kC4C&q=layal+watfeh&pg=PA158|title=Arab Filmmakers of the Middle East: A Dictionary|first=Roy|last=Armes|date=August 23, 2010|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-0253004598|accessdate=January 30, 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNeSMAHRuNU|title=Layal Watfeh – Best Song/Score – Trailer (Slums of India)|last=HMMAwards|date=January 2, 2017|accessdate=January 30, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_y1XujbXg|title=Connected Generation – Slums of India **WINNER for Best Trailer Music in HMMA 2016**|last=Layal Watfeh|date=September 28, 2016|accessdate=January 30, 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mad-solutions.com/press/Layal-Watfeh-Expands-Her-Activities-in-the-Arab-Region-with-Commercials-for-the-Red-Crescent-Society-and-Three-TV-Series-Scores.php|title=Layal Watfeh Expands Her Activities in the Arab Region with Commercials for the Red Crescent Society and Three TV Series Scores|website=mad-solutions.com|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref>
== Early life == Watfeh was born in Damascus, Syria, where she began exploring her interest in music at a young age. She entered the music conservatoire in Damascus to learn the violin at nine years old,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.panoramatartous.com/38869|title=???? ????… ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????????… {{!}} ???????? ?????|website=www.panoramatartous.com|language=ar|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> though later that year, she moved to Dubai with her family. At 11, she turned her attention to the piano for two years,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nabadsouri.com/node/44|title="???? ????"... ??? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? {{!}} Nabad Souri|website=nabadsouri.com|language=ar|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> and by 17 Watfeh was recording voice-overs for TV and radio commercials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nabadsouri.com/node/44|title="???? ????"... ??? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? {{!}} Nabad Souri|website=nabadsouri.com|language=ar|access-date=8 November 2017}}</ref> After working in numerous music studios in Dubai, Watfeh began composing original music.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.layalwatfeh.com/|title=layal-watfeh|website=layal-watfeh|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref>
==Career== Watfeh's career in music began in 2002 when MBC Group offered her a job as a post-production sound engineer, sound designer, and music composer.<ref name=":2" /> Watfeh accepted the job, and after six years she was named the senior manager of her branch.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.albawabhnews.com/1918079|title=????????? ??????? ???? ????: ?????? ?????? ?? ???|work=??????? ????|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> Meanwhile, Watfeh was active in the music industry as she sang the lead vocals with Abali on their album "Lemonada"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2mRifU4Upk]" in 2004.
Watfeh left MBC in 2009 to create her own studio and begin composing music.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.elbalad.news/996659|title='???? ????' ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????|work=??? ?????|access-date=12 November 2017|language=ar-AR}}</ref> She was drawn to a variety of media, including advertisements, TV series, documentaries, short films, and feature films, and she found work across the Middle East, the United States, Canada, and the UK. Watfeh was invited to Berlinale Talents<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/talent/layal-watfeh2/profile|title=Imprint|last=Talents|first=Berlinale|website=Berlinale Talents|access-date=8 November 2017}}</ref> 2014 in Berlin, Germany; she was one of approximately 300 invitees that year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/202748637/Berlinale-Talents-2014-Magazine|title=Berlinale Talents 2014 Magazine – Filmmaking – Cinema|via=Scribd|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref>
In 2016, Watfeh signed a contract with scoreAscore<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.esyria.sy/edamascus/index.php?p=stories&category=arts&filename=201703031127481|title=???? ???? – "???? ????".. ?????? ??????? ????? ?????|website=esyria.sy|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref> in Los Angeles as a composer, where she has been writing scores for various American companies.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dmi.ae/dubaiTV/program-detail.asp?PTID=172&PID=31201|title=??????? ??? – Dubai TV|website=dmi.ae|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref>
==Awards== {| class="wikitable" !Year !''Event'' !Nominations !Result |- |2006 |''Promax Awards-World'' |Best Sound Design | Gold |- |2007 |''Promax Awards-Asia'' |Best Sound Design |Silver |- |2007 |''Promax Awards-Arabia'' |Best Sound Design |Silver |- |2011 |''The New York Festivals'' |Best Original Music (''Tears for Rain'') |Bronze |- |2011 |''The New York Festivals'' |Best Narration (''Road of Death'') |Bronze |- |2015 |''US International Film & Video Festival'' |Best Original Music (''Tide of Grief'') |Silver |- |2016 |''Hollywood Music in Media Awards<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://variety411.com/article/2016-hollywood-music-in-media-nominees-4149757/|title=Nominees Announced For 2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards|last=Marj Galas|date=November 3, 2016|work=Variety 411|access-date=8 November 2017}}</ref>'' |Best Music in a Trailer (''Slums of India'') |Winner |- |2017 |''Cairo Film Society Festival'' |Best Original Main Title Theme Music <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5233554/|title=Before the Summer Crowds|date=December 10, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2034286/|title=Qabl Zahmet Elsaif – Movie – 2015 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Winner |- |2017 |''Hollywood Music in Media Awards'' |Best Music in a Trailer |Nominee |- |2022 |''Canadian Screen Music Awards'' |Best Original Main Title Theme Music<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screencomposers.ca/awards/|title=A celebration of Canadian screen composing|accessdate=November 22, 2022|website=screencomposers}}</ref> |Winner |}
== Television and filmography== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Film/TV Show !Role |- |2007 |''The Strange Case of Salman abd al Haqq''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1334475/fullcredits|title=The Strange Case of Salman abd al Haqq (2007)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1334475/?ref_=nm_flmg_com_12|title = The Strange Case of Salman abd al Haqq (Short 2007) - IMDb| website=IMDb }}</ref> |Composer |- |2008 |''A Journey to Tripoli'' |Composer |- |2010 |''Baram and Hamza''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462755/fullcredits|title=Baram & Hamza (2010)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462755/|title=Baram & Hamza|date=April 27, 2010|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2010 |''Butterflies of Trip City''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1668062/fullcredits|title=Butterflies of Trip City (2010)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1668062/|title=Butterflies of Trip City|date=September 26, 2010|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2010 |''A Journey to Tripoli''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3184792/|title=A Journey to Tripoli|date=September 25, 2010|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2011 |''Abandoned Memories''<ref name="Abandoned Memories">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1997264/|title=Abandoned Memories|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Voice Actor/Sound Editor |- |2011 |''The Road of Death''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2124960/fullcredits|title=The Road of Death (2011)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2124960/|title=The Road of Death|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer/Sound Editor |- |2011 |''Acid''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1883129/fullcredits|title=Acid (Video 2011)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1883129/|title=Acid|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2012 |''04''{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}<!-- WP:RS needed; removed link to WP--><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2009402/|title=- Series – 2012 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2019463/|title=- Series – 2012 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2013 |''I Hugged the Berlin Patient''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2378162/fullcredits|title=I Hugged the Berlin Patient (2013)|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2378162/|title=I Hugged the Berlin Patient|date=December 5, 2013|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Sound Mixer |- |2013 |''Moga Harra ("Heat Wave")''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3113268/fullcredits|title=Moga Harra (TV Series 2013– )|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2020016/cast|title=Cast: Moga Harra – Series – 2013|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3113268/|title=Moga Harra|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2014 |''Thakira Min Waraq''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5024070/|title=Dhakerah Men Waraq|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2035265/|title=Zakera men Waraq – Series – 2015 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2014 |''Burkan Naem''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2020237/|title=Burkan Na'am – Series – 2013 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2014 |''Second Chance''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2033268/|title=forsa thanya – Series – 2014 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2015 |''Hob Walaken''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2030495/|title=- Series – 2014 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2015 |''Kaeb Alee''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2030473/|title=Kaab Aaly – Series – 2014 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2015 |''Abu Mohammad''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3497250/|title=Abu Mohammad|date=January 15, 2015|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2015 |''Nawara''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://onaeg.com/?p=2391963|title=??????? ??????? "???? ????" ??? ?????? ???? "?????" {{!}} ONA – ONews Agency – ????? ????? ????|website=onaeg.com|language=ar-EG|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5461168/|title=Nawara|date=March 23, 2016|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/nawara-review-1201673821/|title=Film Review: 'Nawara'|first=Jay|last=Weissberg|date=January 11, 2016|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2040092/|title=- Movie – 2015 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2015 |''Before the Summer Crowd'' |Composer |- |2016 |''Motel Fin de la Route''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3034338/|title=Motel fin de la route|date=May 1, 2016|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> |Composer |- |2016 |''Baab al Reeh'' |Composer |- |2016 |''Khiyanat Watan'' |Composer |- |2016 |''Slums of India'' |Composer |- |2017 |''Photocopy''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7464158/|title=Photocopy|date=December 21, 2017|accessdate=January 30, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2045418/|title=- Movie – 2017 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2017 |''The Black Day''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elcinema.com/en/work/2030568/|title=Al Youm al Aswad – Series – 2017 – Cast? Video? Trailer? photos? Reviews? Showtimes|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}</ref> |Composer |- |2017 |''Love Without Boarders'' |Composer |}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{IMDB name|nm3221223|Layal Watfeh}} * {{Official website|http://layalwatfeh.com}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watfeh, Layal}} Category:Living people Category:1980 births Category:Syrian composers Category:Syrian women composers Category:Syrian voice actresses