In conversation with Naila Mansour

1. Introduce yourself

Hi !

I am a mix of cultures and was raised between Egypt, Bahrain and Belgium with Egyptian and Albanian heritage. I have been living in London for 5 years now.

I was in 2 short plays this year, thanks to Sharon Willems who is the Artistic Director of The Baron's Court theatre. She basically planned my rehearsals around baby's nap times.

Here is a short film my partner and I did during the pandemic, when I was 6 months pregnant and our son was 5 years old : https://vimeo.com/591263842/43b3c9e689

We had lots of fun doing it in empty London, it brought us closer to each other and added some exciting days of work to a very long Lockdown period. We especially enjoyed the post-sync under our son's bunk bed !

Before the pandemic, I produced the music videos directed by my partner, David Tomaszewski.

2. What is your job title?

Actress, producer (my company Ninaa ltd was mostly active before the pandemic) and I wrote a play.

3. Who looks after the kids when you are working?

David, my partner, when he has the time. We also have an amazing nanny, for important events. She would be a full-time nanny if she wasn't a mother herself.

4. How long did you take off work after having your baby?

I haven't been fully back since she was born, so it's been, on and off, over 2 years.

5. Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?

The honest answer? No. But I’m working on it! The days I take time to meditate before everyone wakes up, the work-life balance improves.

6. Are you job sharing or working flexibly?

Does working in between my baby's nap times count as flexibly?

7. What do you think is the hardest part of being a working in media/film/tv industry and being a parent?

In my case? Not having had my “big break” before the kids. People can act surprised when they learn I have kids. I have heard many times "you don't look like a mother !".

The hardest part? The social image once you’re a “Mom”, the vicious circle that starts the idea of "they aren't available anymore = no job = no more money for nannies = no more time to get more work and invest in the future = no work

Starting a family somehow seems challenging...but I’m willing to be one of those who “had her big break after she had kids !” Just watch me :)

8. What are your tips for any other women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?

If you want kids, don't wait, we only live once. Starting a family is hard work yet it is so rewarding and fun as well. It’s even magical (if the housework doesn’t become too much).

So I’d say, have enough funds aside to count on help you will be able to pay, do not count on ANYONE, not family or friends too much, and plan perhaps a nanny or an au pair budget if you can.

9. Any advice for anyone about to return to work after maternity?

"Life goes on while we are making other plans" right ?. So it will all be okay. The babies and kids will be okay without us.

Treat yourself with kindness, relax in the evenings before bed, eat some chocolate and drink herbal teas !

Connect with mother groups like this one ! You are NOT ALONE.

Also, I'll share some good advice from my friend Piret (Designer of the brand PIRET KARTUS and a mama herself ) "Naila, get out of your Yoga pants !" She got me out of my slumber and brought me back to the world of self-care -and real clothes !

10. What advice did you wish someone had given you?

I wish I had known about a group like this one as soon as I was expecting ! It's funny how meeting you empowered me. I wish there were more opportunities to meet people in Film who are also mothers to share their experiences and their tips on how they handle it all.