Malika Rabahallah was born in France and studied business administration and languages in Paris before working as a tour guide in Costa Rica. She later moved to Germany, launching her career at the Cologne International Film Festival, where she focused on program research and building international partnerships. Led by her passion for film, she completed the German-French Masterclass at La Fémis and the Filmakademie Ludwigsburg, where she specialized in film financing and production. After more than a decade as a documentary producer, Rabahallah joined the MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, quickly becoming the head of the funding department. In January 2024, she was appointed Director of Filmfest Hamburg, where she shares her considerable expertise in production, funding, and international collaboration. She is a member of the European Film Academy and the EAVE network.