Zayn Alexander

Zayn Alexander is a Lebanese film director and actor based in New York City.[1] He is known for his work on the short films Abroad and Manara.

Zayn Alexander
Zayn Alexander at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Born
Beirut, Lebanon
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Director, Actor
Years active2012 - present

Life and career

Alexander was born and raised in Lebanon.[2][3] Alexander studied psychology at the American University of Beirut and left for the United States to pursue acting in 2010.[2][4] In New York City, he met fellow actor, Pascale Seigneurie, who would soon become a frequent collaborator.[4] The two paired up to create Abroad, a film about a Lebanese couple pursuing their acting dreams in America and struggling with being typecast in Middle Eastern roles. Seigneurie wrote the short film, Alexander directed.[2][5][6] The film was shot in one day.[5] It debuted at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2018.[6][2][7][8] The Moise A. Khayrallah Center has awarded Alexander and Abroad The 2020 Khayrallah Art Prize.[9][10]

In 2019, Alexander and Seigneurie followed up with Manara, a short film about a Lebanese funeral and a family coping with the cultural pressures of Lebanese society.[4] Manara was filmed in Tyre, Lebanon.[4][11] It debuted during the 76th Venice International Film Festival in September 2019.[4]

Filmography
Year Film Actor Role Director Notes
2018 Abroad Green tickY Jad Green tickY Short film
2019 Manara Green tickY Rami Green tickY Short film

References
  1. "Zayn Alexander, comédien et metteur en scène libanais à New York". L'Orient-Le Jour. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  2. Hixon, Michael (9 February 2018). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates stars and independent filmmakers". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  3. Khalaf, Colette (11 July 2019). "Zayn Alexander, loin mais si proche du Liban". Lorient Le Jour. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  4. Mottram, James (24 October 2019). "'Manara' sheds light on problems in Lebanese culture". The National. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  5. "A Middle-Eastern Actor Couple Try to Navigate the Pressures of Relationships, Family & Typecasting in 'Abroad'". Directors Notes. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  6. Rached, Nayla (14 September 2018). "'ABROAD' DE ZAYN ALEXANDER : UNE QUESTION DE CHOIX". Agenda Culturel. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  7. Hipes, Patrick (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Lineup Unveiled". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  8. Marotta, Jenna (17 January 2018). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Announces 2018 Slate, Will Open with Emilio Estevez's 'the public'". IndieWire. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  9. "Two winners announced as US university celebrates Arab art with Khayrallah Prize". Arab News. 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  10. "Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies - NC State". lebanesestudies.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  11. Codrai, Lorna (26 February 2020). "Manara: Highlights Lebanon's Increasing Mental Health Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
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