Mahdi Fleifel, a visionary filmmaker, was born in Dubai and currently resides and works between Denmark, England, and Greece. He is a proud alumnus of the prestigious British National Film & Television School, where he honed his craft.
In 2010, Fleifel founded Nakba FilmWorks, a London-based production company that has since become a hub for his innovative and thought-provoking cinematic endeavors.
Fleifel's most recent film, TO A LAND UNKNOWN, made a stunning debut at the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) at Cannes 2024, earning widespread critical and audience acclaim. This groundbreaking film has already been screened at over 100 festivals, garnered 20 awards, and received a Gotham Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Director. Its theatrical release in more than 30 countries is set to cement Fleifel's reputation as a bold and influential voice in contemporary cinema.
Fleifel's impressive filmmography includes his debut feature, A WORLD NOT OURS, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won an astonishing 30 awards, including the Berlinale Peace Prize and the Grand Jury Prizes at Edinburgh and DOC:NYC.
In 2016, Fleifel's film A MAN RETURNED won the Silver Bear at Berlinale, and was also nominated for the European Film Awards. His subsequent film, A DROWNING MAN, was selected for Cannes and earned a BAFTA nomination. Fleifel's documentary short, I SIGNED THE PETITION, won Best Documentary Short at IDFA, while his short film, 3 LOGICAL EXITS, premiered at IFF Rotterdam.
Throughout his illustrious career, Fleifel has consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on the world of cinema.
