Biography
With a career spanning two decades, the celebrated Lebanese filmmaker and screenwriter Wissam Smayra is recognized for his significant contributions to the Lebanese film scene and beyond through his Netflix hit film PERFECT STRANGERS as well as Nadine Labaki’s Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated film CAPERNAUM, on which he served as an executive producer.
Born and raised in Beirut, Smayra's formative years were shaped by the tumultuous backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War where his family lost their home due to bombing, instilling in him at an early age a deep resilience and a passion for storytelling that would eventually lead him to a future career as a prolific and distinguished filmmaker.
After completing his studies in cinema in Beirut, Smayra earned a master’s degree in screenwriting in Paris. He began his professional career in the advertising sector, quickly making a name for himself as a creative director at various advertising agencies in the MENA region where he directed over 800 TV commercials, and garnered numerous awards at prestigious events, including the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Epica Awards, and Dubai Lynx, positioning him as one the most influential figures in the advertising world.
Wissam Smayra's journey in filmmaking began in 2003 with the short film NON MÉTRAGE LIBANAIS, which he co-wrote and directed alongside Ghassan Koteit, featuring the renowned Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki. The film was a testament to Smayra’s unique style and tone and was a poignant tribute to Lebanese cinema.
In 2009, bringing his experience and creativity to the film scene, he founded his film production company, Clandestino Films, which helps nurture young talents and bring them to the forefront.
Then, years later, Smayra was an associate producer on RETURN TO SENDER, the 2015 American psychological thriller film directed by Fouad Mikati and starring Rosamund Pike, Shiloh Fernandez, and Nick Nolte.
In 2018, he made his breakthrough in Nadine Labaki’s CAPERNAUM, on which he served as an executive producer. The film, after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation for 15 minutes and won the Jury Prize, went on to achieve phenomenal success, being nominated for an Academy Award and screened at numerous festivals, winning about 40 awards, including an Asia Pacific Screen Award for Achievement in Directing.
The widely acclaimed film was also a commercial success upon its release in theaters, grossing over $68 million worldwide, and being named the highest-grossing Arab film ever.
Then, in 2022, in a significant move that would propel Wissam’s career to new heights, he made his feature film directorial debut with PERFECT STRANGERS, the Arabic adaptation of the 2016 Italian film PERFETTI SCONOSCIUTI.
This film, which stars some A-listers from the Arab world, including Mona Zaki, Nadine Labaki, and Eyad Nassar, marked the first original Arabic film for Netflix and was streamed in 190 countries. Sparking significant success across the Arab world, it topped Netflix's charts as the most-viewed film in the Arab world for an entire month and reached third place in the global Top 10 films in the non-English category. The film was also the second most-watched film on Netflix in France.
Throughout his career, Wissam has collaborated with major brands like Vodafone, Pepsi Cola, Garnier, and Cartier. His ads have featured celebrities and prominent figures, including actresses Hend Sabry and Menna Shalaby, actors Dhafer L'Abidine and Hussein Fahmy, singers Myriam Fares and Tamer Hosny, and football stars like Mohamed Aboutrika.
In addition to commercials, Wissam has also ventured into the music world, making significant contributions and collaborating with some of the most prominent singers, including Ragheb Alama, for whom he directed hit songs like Nasīni El Donya, which is considered now a classic and, though it was released on TV, still managed to amass over 90 million views on YouTube and over 18 million streams on Anghami twelve years after its initial release.
He also collaborated with Jean-Jacques Goldman, for whom he directed the music video 4 Mots sur un piano, which achieved phenomenal success in countries like France, topping charts with thousands of copies sold.
Through his auspicious and impressive career, Smayra has not only entertained audiences but has also challenged societal norms and sparked important dialogues within the Arab community. His work continues to resonate, making him a pivotal voice in contemporary cinema and a significant contributor to the cultural landscape of Lebanon and beyond.
