Brief Profile

Waad Al-Kateab is a Syrian journalist, filmmaker, and activist known for her powerful documentary For Sama (2019), which captures life in war-torn Aleppo, Syria during the Syrian civil war.

Born in 1991, Waad started documenting the war as a citizen journalist while living in Aleppo. Her footage, showing the struggles of civilians and the resilience of families, gained international recognition. For Sama, a deeply personal story dedicated to her daughter, won multiple awards, including a BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary.

She co-founded Action for Sama, an organization that raises awareness about war crimes in Syria and advocates for displaced civilians. Now living in the UK, Waad continues her work as a journalist and human rights advocate.