Mohanad Hayal
Born in Iraq, Mohanad studied film directing at Baghdad University, then graduated from several film workshops in America. He gained film experience through his work as assistant director for acclaimed Iraqi filmmakers Oday Rasheed and Mohamed Al Daradji. He has made several short and documentary films and gained a share of International and Arabic awards. He has written over 20 screenplays, short and long. His last film, Happy Birthday was an official selection in competition for the Berlin International Film Festival. In 2013, he won the Rising Star Award at the Rhode Island Film Festival in the US. Mohanad also studied philosophy at Baghdad University and has worked in literary journalism for several years. He is currently a freelance war videographer, documenting battles between the Iraqi Army and ISIS.Mohanad is one of the founders and a permanent workshop lecturer at the Iraqi Independent Film Centre.
The Asia Pacific Screen Academy expresses its respect for and acknowledgement of the South East Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of country, including the custodial communities on whose land works are created and celebrated by the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. We acknowledge the continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We also pay our respects to Elders, past and emerging. We recognise the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations peoples continue to play in storytelling and celebration spaces.