Mohamed Ben Attia, a Tunisian director and screenwriter of considerable renown, entered the world on January 5, 1976, in the vibrant city of Tunis, Tunisia.
Before embarking on a successful career in the cinematic industry, Mohamed garnered valuable experience in the realm of audiovisual post-production, where he honed his skills and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
In addition to his work in post-production, Mohamed also explored various other career paths, including a twelve-year stint in a commercial role at a car dealership in Tunis, where he developed a unique understanding of the automotive industry and its intricacies.
Despite the stability and security that came with his job at the car dealership, Mohamed's true passion and calling remained in the world of writing and directing, where he could utilize his creativity and imagination to bring his unique vision to life.
Mohamed's cinematic odyssey commenced with a training stint at the esteemed writing workshop Sud Écriture, situated in the vibrant city of Tunis. This marked the beginning of his foray into the world of filmmaking, as he began to hone his skills in writing and directing short fiction films. His inaugural short film, "Romantisme : deux comprimés matin et soir", premiered in 2005, showcasing his nascent talent and potential. Subsequent short films, including "Comme les autres" (Kif Lokhrim) in 2006, further demonstrated his dedication to the craft, as he continued to refine his artistic vision and push the boundaries of storytelling.
Mohamed's professional career took a significant turn with the release of his remarkable short film, Mouja, which had its world premiere at the prestigious Carthage Film Festival in the year 2010. The film's impressive reception was further solidified when it was subsequently selected to be showcased at the esteemed CinemAfrica 2011 film festival, held in the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden. This notable achievement was swiftly followed by the release of his fourth short film, Loi 76, in the year 2011, which garnered widespread critical acclaim. Mohamed's creative momentum continued to build with the release of his subsequent short film, Selma, in the year 2013, cementing his status as a rising talent in the world of filmmaking.
Mohamed's rise to prominence was initially marked by the widespread acclaim he received for his short films, which ultimately paved the way for his foray into feature-length productions with the 2016 cinematic masterpiece, Hedi: a wind of freedom. This thought-provoking film was brought to life through the collaborative efforts of esteemed producers Dora Bouchoucha, founder of Nomadis Images, and the renowned Dardenne brothers, co-producers at Les Films du Fleuve.
Mohamed made a significant appearance in the esteemed Cannes Film Festival of 2018, marking a notable milestone in his career as a filmmaker. His feature film, aptly titled Dear Son, was selected to be showcased at the coveted Directors' Fortnight segment of the festival, a testament to the growing recognition of his artistic endeavors.
