ZAYN ALEXANDRE

NEW YORK-BASED FILM DIRECTOR

Zayn Alexandre is a Lebanese-American director, writer, and actor based in New York City. His debut short film, Abroad, premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. His follow-up, Manara, received a special screening at the 76th Venice Film Festival (Venice Days) and went on to win over seven international jury awards. A recipient of the Khayrallah Prize for Lebanese Diaspora Art (2020) and an alum of the TIFF Filmmaker Lab (2021), Alexandre was recently named to the Arab America Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025, recognizing outstanding Arab Americans shaping culture and community. He holds graduate degrees from Columbia University and NYU. His work explores identity, family dynamics, and generational tension, often grounded in sharp societal critique. His latest short film, Saint Rose, premiered at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival and was selected for a special screening at the 2025 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

SAINT ROSE (2024)

"SAINT ROSE" is Zayn Alexandre's latest short film, following ABROAD (2018) and MANARA (2019). Selected to premiere at the 2024 the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (December 5-14).

→ in the press

The word 'DEADLINE' in black text with the outline of a person wearing a jumping hat and holding a printing press above their head.
“Saint Rose is an appealing short, which presents its comment in entertaining and smart fashion.”
— Panos Kotzathanasis, Asian Movie Pulse
“SAINT ROSE is a thought-provoking exploration of resilience, solidarity, and the quiet ways individuals resist oppressive systems. Through its impressive storytelling, nuanced performances, and emotional resonance, the film captures the strength it takes to endure and the universal desire for freedom.”
— Chris Jones, OHM Reviews
“A rewarding meditation in contradiction and the human spirit.”
— Ronak Kotecha, REVIEWRON
“A small masterpiece of mood and subtle performance.”
— Emilie Black, CINEMA CRAZED
“Saint Rose is a beautifully crafted short film that tackles the toxic effects of patriarchy with intent and sensitivity. ”
— Tony Asankomah, GhMovieFreak

recent work

Black silhouette of a person sitting on a rock at the edge of the sea, gazing at the sunset over water with boats in the distance.
Black text logo that reads "MARNI NEW YORK" on a white background.

"A Decade of Brilliance" Maral Artinian's Journey with MARLI

In collaboration with Marie Claire Arabia and in honor of MARLI's tenth anniversary, Zayn directs a special featurette—a visual journey narrated by Maral Artinian, creative director and founder of MARLI New York.

Directed by: Zayn Alexandre

Director of Photography: Stefan Nachmann

Sound Recordist: Pedi Hashemian

Produced by: Shady Kerko

Sound Mixing: Chadi Roukoz

Colorist: Thomas Heban

Script: Pascale Seigneurie

1st Assistant Camera: Idil Eryurekli

Additional Camera: David Williams

Production Company: ZMA Entertainment

RECENT WORK

A close-up image of a desktop computer screen displaying financial graphs and data charts.

A New York Affair: Celebrating 10 Years of Exceptional Beauty with MARLI

An intimate film featuring Maral Artinian, the visionary behind MARLI New York. Through personal reflections and key milestones, Maral shares the brand’s journey over the past ten years, highlighting MARLI’s commitment to individuality, craftsmanship, and defying conventions. The film offers a glimpse into the inspiration behind MARLI’s collections and a forward-looking vision for the future, celebrating the connections that have shaped its legacy.

Director: Zayn Alexandre

DOP: Stefan Nachmann

Sound: Boris Krichevsky

Producer: Shady Kerko

Editor: Matt Cooney

Close-up black and white photo of a woman's face, showing her eyes, nose, and lips, with smooth skin and dark hair.
Close-up black and white photo of a person's eyes.
Close-up of a person's hands held together in prayer, adorned with various bracelets and rings, with the word 'HARE' on their wrist, against a dark background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long wavy hair, looking to the side.
Close-up black and white photograph of a camera lens focusing on the metal screw threads and internal components.
Close-up of a person's wrist with multiple black watches and bracelets in a dark setting.
A woman sitting on a modern chair with crossed legs, smiling softly, with a small table holding a plant and books beside her, illuminated by a soft spotlight in a grayscale studio setting.
Black and white photo of a woman with dark hair, smiling with her eyes closed.
A woman sitting in a modern chair, smiling, with a side table holding a small plant and books, illuminated by a soft light in a minimalist setting.
Close-up of a film slate with black and white markings, film clapper on top, held by a person with visible face in the background, black and white photograph.
Close-up of a person's face in black and white, focusing on the eye, nose, and part of the eyebrow, with detailed skin texture.
Aerial view of New York City skyline featuring the Empire State Building in the foreground with other tall skyscrapers and the Hudson River in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.