"[2] Mostafa faced initial controversy when some cinemas refused to showcase his movie who they claimed portrayed Dubai in a negative light.
[4] Mostafa has been branded as "Best Emirati Filmmaker" in the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF),[2] won the 'Young Filmmaker of the Year' award at the Digital Studio Awards 2010, and Variety magazine quoted that he has proven to be the Gulf’s first director of international standing.
Upon completion of his education, Mostafa established a division from an existing company focusing on set and interior design.
[6] Mostafa also spends his time on humanitarian causes having participated in projects with Oxfam, whilst having also taken on the role of goodwill ambassador for Visit Britain.
Mostafa is married to yoga instructor Adele O'Herlihy[7] and has 3 children, his daughter Ayah and twin sons, from a previous marriage to Maha Gorton.