Hanadi Elyan

Writer & director Hanadi Elyan, is a Palestinian-Jordanian filmmaker whose work focuses on the social issues facing marginalized communities from a female perspective. Hanadi's short films have competed in film festivals around the world. She started her film career in Jordan, then she moved to Dubai and established Reel Arab Productions. Later, she moved to Los Angeles after being selected for a full ride scholarship, where she earned her MFA in Film Production / Directing from UCLA. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Hanadi currently serves as Assistant Professor of Narrative Film Directing at Emerson College. She previously won numerous funds and awards for her films, including Jordan Film Fund, Hollywood Foreign Press Association Award, Delia Salvi Memorial award, Special Jury award at Tangiers Film Festival for Mariam's Chance, George Burns and Gracie Allen Scholarship Fellowship in Comedy and The UCLA Directors Spotlight Award.