Mai Iskander is an Emmy award-winning director and producer. She was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in the USA, where she studied filmmaking. She graduated from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts in 2005.
Iskander’s work is known for its intimate, observational style and its focus on social issues. Her debut feature documentary Garbage Dreams (2009) follows three teenage boys in Cairo, Egypt who survive by collecting and recycling garbage. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Film Festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. The documentary also won a Peabody award and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Nonfiction Special.
Iskander’s other works include the Emmy-nominated documentary Iraq: The Lost Generation (2012) which follows three Iraqi expats as they struggle to rebuild their lives after the war. She also directed the documentary feature In the Shadow of the Sun (2015) which follows two Tanzanian albinos struggling to survive amidst superstition and violence.
In addition to her documentary work, Iskander has directed several award-winning short films, including the romantic comedy The Light in Her Eyes (2010). She has also directed several short documentaries for the online series The Future is Female (2012) which highlights the work of female activists around the world.
Iskander is committed to creating meaningful and impactful stories that challenge our understanding of the world. Her films have been featured in festivals and museums around the world, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She has also been a recipient of grants from the Sundance Institute, the Ford Foundation, and the Tribeca Film Institute.
Mai Iskander is a passionate filmmaker who is dedicated to telling stories that raise awareness and inspire change. She continues to use her craft to shed light on issues that are often overlooked and to challenge our perception of the world.
