Ossama Bawardi is a renowned independent producer, based in Palestine and Jordan, who has made a significant impact in the film industry. His career began with various productions, including Paradise Now by Hany Abu Assad, Whispering Embers by Ali Nassar, and Salt of this Sea by Annemarie Jacir.
Salt of this Sea, which premiered in Cannes, was a groundbreaking film that not only brought together Jacir and actor Saleh Bakri for the first time but also marked the first feature film directed by a Palestinian woman. The film's success also launched a regular and anticipated collaboration between Jacir and Bakri.
Bawardi's production company, Philistine Films, which he officially joined in 2010, is dedicated to supporting distinctive visions, building a local crew, and establishing itself at the forefront of independent cinema in the region. The company offers production services and coproductions with international producers.
Bawardi has produced a wide range of films, including Horizon, In Overtime, Mare Nostrum, and Haneen, a short film that he also directed. He has also line produced numerous films, including (No) Laughing Matter, A Stone's Throw from Prison, and Amin Matalqa's The Rendezvous, starring Stana Katic.
In addition to his work on Salt of this Sea, Bawardi has produced several other notable films, including Jacir's When I Saw You, which won Best Asian Film at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film's production was notable for being entirely Arab financed, making it one of the first in the region to rely almost entirely on local private financing.
Bawardi has also produced Jacir's Wajib, which won thirty-six international awards, including Best Film in Mar Del Plata, Dubai, Amiens, Washington DC, and Kerala. He has also produced the Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning film The Present by Farah Nabulsi.
As a member of the EAVE Producer's Network and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, Bawardi is committed to promoting and supporting independent cinema in the region.
