Islam El Azzazi

Born in Alexandria, director and screenwriter Islam el Azzazi graduated from the Egypt’s Higher Institute of Cinema in 1993. Since his graduation film, Azzazi has made several documentaries, experimental works and short narrative films, including his award-winning short film Nahar we Leil (Day and Night) (2006). He has experience in filming, editing, and production, and is also a photographer and graphic designer. El Azzazi founded his own production company Semat, and then co-founded WIKA for Film Production and Distribution. He has published a volume of poetry titled The Flowers We Hold (Dar Al-Jadid, Lebanon: 1995). He attended several master classes and learning platforms, such as Berlinale Talents 2005, Documentary Campus – MENA Program 2013, and Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab 2014. El Azzazi won the Sawiris Cultural Award for Best Screenplay for Anha (About Her), his first narrative feature film.