Ali Shifau collaborated with Moomin Fuad to direct the critically appreciated crime film Heylaa (2006) featuring a cast of Ismail Rasheed, Ahmed Mauroof, Zeenath Abbas, Lufshan Shakeeb and Abdulla Muaz.

[2][4] Shifau opined that its commercial status was a result of casting "not very prominent" faces in the film and the "film-goers were not ready to accept the genre" at the time of its release.

[5] Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru praised the narration and direction; "The film is embroiled in a realistic story which has sensible characters who are emotive under the helm of two great leaders serving as directors".

[16] Ahmed Nadheem from Haveeru Daily criticized the screenplay for the lack of "amusement" and the "abrupt rush" in the story-line with "flaws in the script".

He concluded the review by praising the efforts put into the visual effects and addressing the "dislike of the film in comparison to Fathis Handhuvaru".

[17] Shhifau's next release was the romantic film Emme Fahu Vindha Jehendhen (2015) starring Mohamed Jumayyil and Mariyam Majudha.

[29] Upon release, the film met with a positive response from critics—specifically praising the screenplay for toning down its melodrama and breaking from the stereotypes of its genre—and was a commercial success.

[30] In a pre-premier review from Raajje.mv, Ismail Naail Nasheed favored the character development and minimised use of melodrama in the film while praising Shifau's direction.

[30] Later during the year, first Maldivian anthology film was released which credited Shifau as the director of the segment titled Foshi which focuses on the impact on a couple's life due to the home use of an abortion drug.