Ali Shifau collaborated with Moomin Fuad to direct the critically appreciated crime film '' Heylaa '' ( 2006 ) featuring a cast of Ismail Rasheed , Ahmed Mauroof , Zeenath Abbas , Lufshan Shakeeb and Abdulla Muaz . The film narrates the story of a fourteen year old ambitious boy who finds himself unknowingly being involved in the smuggling of a revolver . Apart from directing the film , Shifau worked as the editor and cinematographer , marking it as the first Maldivian film to be shot in high-definition digital video . Though the film received positive reviews from critics , it was a commercial failure . Shifau opined that its commercial status was a result of casting " not very prominent " faces in the film and the " film-goers were not ready to accept the genre " at the time of its release . Ahmed Nadheem from '' Haveeru '' praised the narration and direction ; " The film is embroiled in a realistic story which has sensible characters who are emotive under the helm of two great leaders serving as directors " . At the 5th Gaumee Film Awards ceremony , Shifau won Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction award
5th Gaumee Film Awards
5th Gaumee Film Awards
Ali Shifau