(Reviews & more: )
Award-winning screenwriter/Director. As a queer US-based Lebanese filmmaker, I am an inherently political being with a unique voice and a natural mindfulness of representation. Whatever genre I am writing in, my gaze is kind and my stories are politically engaged. My storytelling is experiential, using the body's infinite ability to generate and channel meaning. When bodies come together, they defy impossibility, and explore truth.
Sample Filmography:
MARTYR, 84 minutes. Available everywhere.
- Venice International Film Festival, 2017. World Premiere. Nominated for the Queer Lion.
- SXSW, 2018. North American premiere.
- Alexandria International Film Festival, 2018. Winner: Best Artistic Achievement and Best Supporting Actress.
- Queer Lisboa - Festival Internacional, 2018. Nominated fort Best Film. Received Special Jury Mention.
- Lebanese Movie Awards, 2019. Nominated for Best Film, Best Writing, and Best Editing.
A PETTY BOURGEOIS DREAM, 101 minutes.
- Cannes International Film Festival, 2016. Lebanon Goes to Cannes.
- Beirut Cinema Days, 2017.
- FIFOG Geneva, 2017.
- Madrid International Film Festival, 2017. Nominated: Best Director Foreign Language, Best Actress Secondary Role Foreign Language, Best Foreign Language Screenplay.
MY QUEER SAMSARA; 16 mm, 10 min.
- Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2011. World premiere.
- Cork International Film Festival, 2011.
- Nobody Passes; Galleri KiT, Trondheim Academy of Fine Arts; 9-11 April, 2015.
A VERY DANGEROUS MAN; 16 minutes.
- Dubai IFF - Muhr Arab Shorts competition, 2012.
- Beirut Cinema Days, 2013.
- Honolulu Film Awards, 2013.
- Sarajevo Film Festival, 2013.
Writing Honors:
- Housekeeping (script): selected, Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum.
- Housekeeping (script): Grand Prize winner, Dubai International Film Festival.
- Housekeeping (script): Development Prize Winner at Doha Tribeca Awards.
- Martyr (movie): Nominee, Best screenplay, Lebanese Movie Awards.
- A Petty Bourgeois Dream (movie): Nominee, Best Foreign Language Script, Madrid International Film Festival.
- Attended the Sud Ecriture Screenwriting workshops (Tangiers and Tunis) with Jacques Fieschi.
- Attended Venice Biennale College Scriptwriting workshop and script won production grant.
Education:
- American University of Beirut (BA '90)
- Georgetown University (MPP '93)
- Concordia University (BFA '11)
- FSU College of Motion Picture Arts (MFA '20)
Martyr
(
Film
(Drama and Family)
Writer/Director
A Petty Bourgeois Dream
(
Film
Writer/Director
A Very Dangerous Man
(
Film
(Short)
Writer/Director
My Queer Samsara
(
Film
(Short)
Writer/Director 16 mm / experimental / hand-sliced / in-camera effects
Our Gentleman of the Wings
(
Film
(Short)
Writer/Director 16 mm / experimental
Cadillac Blues
(
Film
(Short)
Director
Best Film (nominee), MARTYR - Lebanese Movie Awards
(2019)
Best Screenplay (nominee), MARTYR - Lebanese Movie Awards
(2019)
Best Film (nominee), MARTYR - Queer Lisboa - Won Special Jury Mention
(2018)
Alexandria Intrnational Film Festival - Best Artisitc Achievemenrt
(2018)
Queer Lion (nominee), MARTYR - Venice International Film Festival
(2017)
Best Director Foreign Language, (A Petty Bourgeois Dream) - Madrid Internatinal Film Festival
(2017)
Best Sreenplay Foreign Language, (A Petty Bourgeois Dream) - Madrid Internatinal Film Festival
(2017)
Best Arab Short (nominee), A VERY DANGEROUS MAN - Dubai International Film Festival
(2012)
FSU College of Motion Picture Arts
(2018-2020)
Concordia University
(2008-2010)
Georgetown University
(1991-1993)
American University of Beirut
(1986-1990)