Lebanese directors and filmmakers all over the world embody their artistic vision through award-winning works.
One of them is Oualid Mouaness, an award-winning director, writer, and producer whose work traverses from narrative and documentary features to music films, videos, and even commercials.
His works are often described as impactful and resonant. He looks for materials that express art while highlighting important messages on social awareness and faith in humanity.
Born in Liberia and raised in Beirut, the Lebanese director brings understanding to nuanced films focusing on both the heart and the mind.
He is a Sundance Fellow and currently works between Los Angeles and Beirut. After completing his undergraduate studies in journalism and theatre in Beirut, he also pursued an MFA in film at the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts.
His first feature film as director, 1982, starring the Lebanese actress Nadine Labaki, premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in 2019, where it won the NETPAC Award.
The film also won the at El-Gouna Film Festival in Egypt, the Cannes Film Festival, the UNICEF 2021 prize, and the Murex D’Or, among others.
Mouaness’ feature film success didn’t end then. 1982 was also selected to represent Lebanon for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards 2020.
Since then, it has received a wide range of acclamations in France, China, Qatar, and the United States.
He also worked on his short film “The Rifle, The Jackal, The Wolf And The Boy,” which was also shortlisted at the Oscars in 2017.
Mouaness is known for producing seminal music videos with renowned artists like David Bowie, for his The Stars & The Next Day. He also collaborated with Annie Lennox on a video record and an Emmy-nominated live concert performance.
The Lebanese director also worked with A-listers for their music videos, including Lana Del Rey, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, N.E.R.D, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Gnarls Barkley, Keith Urban, and Rihanna, among others.
His work, talent, and contribution to the field didn’t go unnoticed, as he has been nominated for several VMA’s and CMA’s.
Mouaness has so far produced nine feature-length films, most notably, the indie film Kitchen Privileges, and co-produced and edited the acclaimed documentary “RIZE,” which was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2006.
In 2015, the Lebanese director produced the South African LAIFF Audience-Award-Winning impactful documentary “I Am Thalente,” and his recent experiential documentary “Max Richter’s Sleep” was world premiered at IDFA2019 and Sundance 2020.
The future only seems bright for Oualid Mouaness, who is making the Lebanese people proud with all his creativity and innovativeness in the film industry.
