Haifaa Al Mansour

Bio

Haifaa Al Mansour is Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker and one of its most influential cinematic voices. Her groundbreaking work has helped shape the Kingdom’s film industry, often challenging cultural taboos and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers, especially women. Al Mansour’s recent Nike commercial What If You Can?, featuring an all-female cast and shot in Saudi Arabia, garnered 37 million views in one week, highlighting the power of authentic cultural storytelling.

She holds degrees from the American University in Cairo and the University of Sydney. Her early films and acclaimed 2005 documentary Women Without Shadows sparked national debate and momentum for opening cinemas in Saudi Arabia. Her 2012 debut feature Wadjda, the first feature shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and directed by a woman, was filmed under tight restrictions—she directed from a van using a walkie-talkie—and became Saudi Arabia’s first submission to the Oscars. She later directed Mary Shelley (2017) and The Perfect Candidate (2019), continuing her focus on female empowerment. Now a sought-after TV director in Hollywood, with credits including Archive 81 and Tales of the Walking Dead, Al Mansour remains committed to mentoring emerging Saudi talent—especially young women.

Represented by Loveboat in U.S.

instagram