Maha Dahkil
Co-Head of the Motion Picture Group and Co-Head of the agency’s International Film Group, Maha Dakhil also serves on the CAA board that is responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. Additionally, she represents some of the world’s most successful actors and actresses, moving seamlessly between such talent and literary clients as Tom Cruise, Ava DuVernay, Reese Witherspoon, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mindy Kaling, Dakota Johnson, Madonna, Sam Mendes, Natalie Portman, Chloé Zhao, Lena Dunham, Melina Matsoukas, Juan Antonio Bayona, Yorgos Lanthimos, Olivia Wilde, Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, Lenny Abrahamson, Danny Strong, Justine Triet, H.E.R., Anne Hathaway, Jeymes Samuel, Hwang Dong-hyuk, Chloé Zhao, Charlie Kaufman, and Higher Ground, among others.
An 19-year veteran of the agency, Dakhil has long been at the forefront of cultivating opportunities for diverse talent and championing underserved voices and their stories. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s action epic THE WOMAN KING, made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and went on to open #1 at the box office, and Lena Dunham’s CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY also had its world premiere at Toronto. She recently signed Higher Ground, the Obama’s media company.
In addition to co-leading the successful integration of CAA and ICM’s motion picture departments, Dakhil has positioned her clients at the forefront of the biggest moments in pop culture. Client highlights include the record breaking success of Tom Cruise’s TOP GUN: MAVERICK, which has earned more than $1.4 billion at the worldwide box office; Natalie Portman’s starring role in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER; a deal for Mindy Kaling to co-write LEGALLY BLONDE 3, with Witherspoon set to reprise her iconic role as “Elle Woods” and Hello Sunshine producing; Denis Villeneuve directing a sequel to the six-time Oscar-winning DUNE; and Danny Strong serving as the creator, showrunner, and director of the seven-time Emmy nominated DOPESICK, which marks his first limited series.
As Co-Head of CAA’s International Film Group, Dakhil plays an integral role in building the Motion Picture department’s global footprint, opening doors for talent regardless of geographic location. Her roster of global filmmakers continues to grow, signing SQUID GAME creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk; Jasmila Žbanić, whose film QUO VADIS, AIDA? was nominated for the Best International Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards; Kornél Mundruczó, director of the acclaimed film PIECES OF A WOMAN, which premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival; Mohamad Diab, whose film AMIRA received strong critical praise at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival; Ali Abbasi, winner of the Un Certain Regard prize for BORDER at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival; Justin Kurzel, director of NITRAM, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival; Lukas Dhont, director of GIRL, which won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes for best first feature film, along with the Queer Palm, awarded for best LGBT-themed film; and Rungano Nyoni, whose film I AM NOT A WITCH won a 2018 BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
In her role, Dakhil focuses on the agency’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. She also plays a leadership role in CAA Amplify. In addition, Dakhil is a founding member of Time’s Up, an initiative that addresses systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace. She is a champion for underrepresented storytellers, creating opportunities for them to transition into the global marketplace. Dakhil also serves on the boards of the International Rescue Committee, Baby2Baby, and the UCLA Lab School.