Person

Mahdi Fleifel

Directing

Born: October 25, 1979 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Biography

Palestinian-Danish director Fleifel’s first feature-length documentary, A World Not Ours, won more than 30 awards at major festivals – including the Berlinale's Silver Bear. After taking part in the 2013 Cinéfondation in Cannes, Fleifel has directed several award-nominated short films: A Man Returned, A Drowning Man and I Signed the Petition. His debut narrative feature, TO A LAND UNKNOWN, premiered in 2024 at Cannes' Directors' Fortnight to rave reviews. It has gone on to screen at over 100 festivals and winning more than 20 awards, most recently landing Fleifel a Gotham Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Director.