Sameh Alaa is an Egyptian director, producer, and writer. His short films Fifteen and I’m Afraid to Forget Your Face gained international acclaim, with the latter winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes. His films have screened at major film festivals worldwide, including Toronto, Locarno, and San Sebastián, and were showcased at MoMA and the Venice Biennale. He is currently developing his first feature and working on an animated short.