Directing
Sameh Alaa
Egypt
Department: Directing
Biography
Sameh Alaa is an Egyptian film director. Born in Cairo, he studied at Cairo University, before moving to Europe. In 2020, he became the first Egyptian director to have a film screened in the Short Film Competition section at the Cannes Film Festival. His film, I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face, won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, making it the first Egyptian film to achieve this honor. In June 2021, he was named one of the six jury members for the Cinéfondation and Short Films section at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Known For
Prominent works featuring Sameh Alaa
Movie
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I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face
2020
TMDB2.9
TV
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Narges's Story
2026
TMDB3.8
Movie
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Fifteen
2017
TMDB4.0
Movie
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The Nipple Whisperer
2021
TMDB3.1
Movie
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Le Steak de Tante Margaux
2015
TMDB0.0
Movie
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S The Wolf
2025
TMDB0.0
The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with My Father
Movie
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The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with My Father
2026
TMDB0.0
Filmography & Credits
Complete career catalog (12 titles)
| Poster | Title | Character / Role | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with My Father | Director | Movie | 2026 | |
| The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with My Father | Writer | Movie | 2026 | |
 | Narges's Story | Director | TV Series | 2026 |
| Narges's Story | Idea | TV Series | 2026 |
 | S The Wolf | Director | Movie | 2025 |
| S The Wolf | Writer | Movie | 2025 |
 | The Nipple Whisperer | Omar | Movie | 2021 |
 | I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face | Director | Movie | 2020 |
| I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face | Writer | Movie | 2020 |
 | Fifteen | Director | Movie | 2017 |
| Fifteen | Screenplay | Movie | 2017 |
 | Le Steak de Tante Margaux | Director | Movie | 2015 |