Feras Fayyad

Feras Fayyad is an award-winning Syrian filmmaker, director, and producer, known for his powerful documentaries that explore the human cost of conflict and the resilience of those caught in war. Fayyad’s work focuses on documenting the experiences of individuals in war-torn regions, often shedding light on untold stories of survival, loss, and hope. His films combine intimate, on-the-ground footage with profound storytelling to offer a raw, unfiltered view of the consequences of violence and displacement. His commitment to capturing truth and authenticity in the face of adversity has earned him international recognition, including an Emmy award for Best Current Affairs Documentary and two George Foster Peabody awards.

One of Fayyad’s most notable works is "Last Men in Aleppo" (2017), a critically acclaimed documentary that follows the volunteer rescue workers of the White Helmets, a group dedicated to saving lives in the midst of the Syrian Civil War. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won multiple awards, including a Peabody Award. "Last Men in Aleppo" poignantly captures the humanity behind the headlines and brings attention to the bravery of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. The film’s raw, emotional portrayal of life in Aleppo made Fayyad a leading voice in documentary filmmaking about the Syrian conflict. Notably, he was the first Syrian director to be nominated for an Oscar.

Fayyad's subsequent documentary, "The Cave" (2019), earned critical acclaim and numerous awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature, the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, the People's Choice Award at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, and the Cinema for Peace Most Valuable Documentary of the Year Award in 2020. His films have been featured in major film festivals and aired on global platforms like Netflix, further solidifying his place as a prominent voice in contemporary documentary filmmaking.

Fayyad’s dedication to filmmaking is deeply personal, shaped by his own experiences living through the Syrian Civil War. He has spoken publicly about his experiences with torture in Syria and has testified in court against a convicted war criminal officer involved in his torture, contributing to the legal proceedings concerning war crimes in Syria. His background as a journalist and filmmaker in Syria provides him with unique insight into the struggles and triumphs of those living in the heart of a conflict zone. Through his powerful storytelling, Fayyad continues to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in Syria, while giving a platform to those whose voices might otherwise be silenced. As a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2018 and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Fayyad continues his efforts to highlight the situation in Syria and the political shifts in the Arab world.