Faisal Attrache is a writer, director and producer who tells stories about universal human experiences with a socially conscious message. His short docu-fiction film HASTA SIEMPRE, COMANDANTE (2016), made under the tutelage of Abbas Kiarostami, won a Mention Spéciale du Jury at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, France. His short documentary GROWING HOME (2014) premiered at the Sheffield DocFest, UK (2015) and won Best Documentary Short at the Newport Beach Film Festival, US. FROM THE MOUNTAIN (2021), his latest short historical drama based on part of his great-grandfather’s life, premiered at the Red Sea Film Festival, Saudi Arabia and has won several awards. He received an MFA in Film Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Los Angeles. Born in Swaida, Syria, Attrache grew up in California and is currently based in the UK.
IMDB
Selected Workshop, Lab and Grant Selections
2023 - Arab British Centre - Arab Film Development Workshop
2023 - Doha Film Institute - Qumra Participant
2022 - Doha Film Institute - TV Series Lab
2022 - Jordanian Film Commission - Mosalsalat TV Series Lab
2021 - Cinephelia - Film Development Workroom
2019 - Jordanian Film Commission - Short Film Production Grant Recipient
2019 - Sharjah Art Foundation - Film Production Grant Recipient
2017 - Jordanian Film Commission - MedFilm Factory
2016 - Filming in Cuba With Abbas Kiarostami - Lab Participant
2014 - DoxBox - Documentary Film Lab
TV/MEDIA
Sky News Arabia - TV interview about “From the Mountain” (Arabic)
TEDxHagueAcademy: Barbers and Barriers: Connections in a Syrian refugee Camp - The Hague - Sep. 2013
Interview on Jordanian TV channel Ro'ya TV about From the Mountain (Arabic).
PODCAST INTERVIEWS
Actors Anonymous: Episode 62 - Faisal Attrache
This week we discuss Identity of the self. We have filmmaker and documentarian, Faisal Attrache (Growing Home, The Lotus Gun) talks with us about finding the difference between your superficial and core identity along with how to find focus in a documentary subject, and locate a strong narrative to create a compelling story.
Arabology: 9.4 Indie Music from Syria + Film Directors Interviewed
Includes great indie/alternative music from #Syria by Hello Psychaleppo!, Kulna Sawa, Omar Offendum, LaTalteh, Gene, Zein Al-Jundi, Joussour, Rasha Rizk, Ibrahim Souleimany, Itar Shameh, Mayada Bselis, Lena Chamamyan, Malek Jandali, Dima Orsho, Twais, Omar Souleyman.
The show also featured interviews with groundbreaking Directors whose films center on Syrian refugees at the Zaatari Camp in Jordan: Faisal Attrache ("Growing Home") and Zaid Baqaeen ("Hotel Zaatari"). (minute 52:00)
Arabology: 10.4 Jordanian Indie Music + Interviews w/ Filmmakers 2016
This Arabology podcast was recorded in Jordan in July 2016 and aired in California on August 11, 2016. It features new indie music from Jordan + interviews with Jordanian musicians as well as a slew of talented filmmakers. (minute 2:37:49)
Arabiyaat: Episode 5 - Redefining Home: Faisal Attrache and Syrian Refugees in Zaatari camp
Faisal Attrache, Syrian-American filmmaker and activist, joins us in studio to speak about his unique experiences making his documentary, "Growing Home", at the Zaatari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan. Through the lens of a hyphenated-identity, at once insider and outsider, Faisal's point of view is illuminating to many of us disconnected from the pertinent refugee crisis that has become a reality for far too many Syrians. Once the cameras leave, refugees live in a state of perpetual limbo, yearning for a life beyond the food and shelter provided by international organizations.
Rise Up For You: Episode #82 - Faisal Attrache
Today we have a very unique guest, someone who is truly an inspiration to us all! Today we will be speaking to Faisal Attrache about finding your purpose and truly following your heart! We will be discussing his motivation behind continuously making films and how he followed his heart to be where is today!]
ARTICLES
Artist in residence brings the world to Mount Baker students - Skagit Valley Herald - April 15, 2015
When a Haircut Turns into a Priceless Piece of Community - GOOD Magazine November 6, 2014