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Portrait of Mahdi Fleifel

Mahdi Fleifel

Prolific filmmaker documenting Palestinian refugee life and identity.

Born
1979
Born in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Path
Cinema
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Why Mahdi is here

His films have won numerous international awards, providing a unique and deeply personal perspective on the Palestinian refugee experience.

Their story

Mahdi Fleifel is a Danish-Palestinian filmmaker and visual artist, known for his works that delve into the lives and struggles of Palestinian refugees. Born in Dubai, he grew up in a refugee camp in Lebanon before moving to Denmark. His films often reflect his personal experiences and the broader Palestinian condition.

In pictures

Milestones

The moments that shaped Mahdi’s path.

  1. Born in Dubai, UAE in 1979.

  2. Grew up in a refugee camp in Lebanon.

  3. Moved to Denmark in 1988.

  4. Graduated from the British National Film and Television School in 2009.

  5. Won the Silver Bear Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival for "A Man Returned" in 2016.

  6. 2024

    To a Land Unknown premiered at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. "A World Not Ours" (2012) - A feature film that received over 30 awards.

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  2. "Xenos" (2014) - A short film following young refugees from Ain El-Helweh to Greece.

  3. "A Drowning Man" (2017) - Focuses on the existential crisis of an undocumented migrant in Greece.

  4. "3 Logical Exits" (2020) - A documentary highlighting the Palestinian refugee experience.

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Mahdi in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Watch on YouTube↗

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