Islam El Azzazi

Born in Alexandria in 1971, Azzazy graduated from the High Institute of Cinema, Egypt, in 1993. Since his graduation film, Azzazi has made several documentaries, experimental works, and short films, including the award-winning film Day and Night (2006), which was screened at regional and international festivals. He has experience in filming, editing, and production, and is also a photographer and graphic designer. He has also published a volume of poetry titled The Flowers We Hold (Dar Al-Jadid, Lebanon: 1995). Azzazi has worked with a number of performing arts and film institutions. From 1995 to 1999, he worked with El-Warsha Theater Troupe, spending three years in the troupe's creative and administrative teams, and also training the troupe members on acting before a camera. He was a founding member of Semat (2006-2010), which focuses on independent film. Azzazi was the supervisor, curriculum developer, and primary instructor of two lengthy workshops held over five years that have created the core of the current independent film scene in Alexandria, in collaboration with the Jesuit Cultural Center (2002-2007). Azzazi contributed to the establishment of Wika Production and Distribution (2007) and was a member of its board until 2009. He also co-mentored Analogue Zone Workshop #3 organized by Cimatheque and LaborBerlin which took place in Cairo-2014. He attended several masterclasses and learning platforms, such as Berlinale Talents 2005, Documentary Campus - MENA Program 2013, and Rawi Screenwriters' Lab 2014. Azzazi has been a member of the selection committees and juries of several festivals and film events. He is currently working on several artistic/cinematic projects, including his first feature film About Her.