Directing

Zayn Alexandre

Biography

Zayn Alexandre is a Lebanese-American director, writer, and actor based in New York City. His debut short film, Abroad, premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. His follow-up, Manara, received a special screening at the 76th Venice Film Festival (Venice Days) and went on to win over seven international jury awards. An alum of the TIFF Filmmaker Lab (2021), Alexandre was recently named to the Arab America Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025, recognizing outstanding Arab Americans shaping culture. He holds graduate degrees from Columbia University and NYU. His work explores identity, family dynamics, and generational tension, often grounded in sharp societal critique. His latest short film, Saint Rose, premiered at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival and was selected for a special screening at the 2025 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.