Shivaz Abdulla

Shivaz Abdulla commonly known as Maaskey (born 6 December 1981) is a Maldivian cinematographer and producer.

Shivaz Abdulla's journey into the entertainment industry was greatly influenced by his family's strong musical background, with his aunt Shafeeqa Abdul Latheef and cousin Mariyam Unoosha being notable figures in the field.

His career trajectory began at a local shop called "Chaalee", where he dealt with music rolls and discs, igniting his passion for the industry.

After three years there, he transitioned to "Audiomart", a well-known local studio, where he gained valuable experience in the world of filmmaking.

During his six-year tenure at Audiomart, Abdulla had the opportunity to connect with various cameramen and producers, forming important relationships within the industry.

During this period, he also participated in a workshop organized by Television Maldives, focusing on cinematography and film direction.

Encouraged by his newfound knowledge and enthusiasm, he decided to leave his job and venture into the industry.

Initially, he started as an assistant to film crews, helping with equipment and setup.

Despite facing initial challenges and working in a technician's role, Abdulla persisted, closely observing the work of seasoned cameramen.

His breakthrough came when he collaborated with Abdul Faththaah on a music album shoot, which garnered recognition within the industry.

Abdulla commenced his career by working on smaller projects, including films like Dhanthura (2008), Seedhibe (2009), Loabeege Ninja (2010) and for television series including Soora (2008), Mihithah Loabi Dheyshey (2009), Sirrun Hithaa Kulhelaafa (2010).

In 2013, his career took a significant leap when he served as the cameraman for Hussain Munawwar's romantic thriller Dhilakani earning him a nomination for Best Cinematography at the Maldives Film Awards.

Another notable achievement came with Ali Seezan's action film Ahsham (2014), for which he received the Gaumee Film Award for Best Cinematography.

Reviewing the film, Ahmed Nadheem from Avas praised Abdulla's cinematography, citing it as one of the film's standout features, stating, "It is worth mentioning the young talent in the industry, [Maskey] for his brilliant and unconventional cinematic effects".

Abdulla continued to collaborate with Ali Seezan on Andhirikan, where he not only handled the camera work but also served as a co-producer for the film.

The film faced various challenges in the pre-production stage, and after only four screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was withdrawn from theaters.