Ahmed Al-Daradji was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1986. After graduating with a Bachelors in Audio & Visual Arts from the University of Baghdad, he worked as a director of photography, writer and director for Baghdad-based satellite stations and companies.

In 2004, he got a job as a sound recordist on the feature Ahlaam produced in the aftermath of the American invasion of Iraq. He then scripted, edited & did sound on the short film My Name is Mohammed and worked as a production assistant & sound recordist on the feature, Son of Babylon.

Eventually he moved to London where he got his MA in filmmaking at London Film School. Whilst in London he shot his third short Between the Two Banks. Before directing his first feature, Hanging Gardens, he participated in the Iraq 35mm short film workshop, writing and directing his latest short, Children of God.

Accolades

Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji and Huda Al Kadhimi and Margaret Glover and May Odeh
Best Youth Film, 2022

Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji and Huda Al Kadhimi and Margaret Glover and May Odeh

Best Youth Film, 2022

Ahmed Yassin Al Daradji and Huda Al Kadhimi and Margaret Glover and May Odeh

Hanging Gardens (Janain mualaqa)

Brothers As’ad (12) and Taha (28) barely scrape a living as rubbish pickers in ‘Hanging Gardens’ – the local nickname for Baghdad’s smouldering dumps –…

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Films

Hanging Gardens (Janain mualaqa)

Hanging Gardens (Janain mualaqa)

Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom

Hanging Gardens (Janain mualaqa)

Brothers As’ad (12) and Taha (28) barely scrape a living as rubbish pickers in ‘Hanging Gardens’ – the local nickname for Baghdad’s smouldering dumps –…

More Details

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