Abdullah Al-Wazzan (Arabic: عبدالله الوزان) is a Kuwaiti filmmaker, entrepreneur and Architect. He was born in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Early life and background Al-Wazzan was born and raised within the Al-Wazzan family, a prominent merchant family in Kuwait. his origins trace back to the Najd region of the Arabian peninsula. Al-Wazzan developed a keen interest in movies and filmmaking at a very young age. In his early preteens (ages 8–12) he created many unreleased short films. At the age of 17 he studied Architecture, earning him a Bachelor of Architecture in 2012.
Film career In 2010 Al-Wazzan created the short animated sci-fi film "Down from Above", It was his first film to play in theaters. Al-Wazzan went on to create the animated short film Falafel Cart (2019) which was officially submitted to the 92nd Academy Awards in the animated short film category making it the first short film from Kuwait to ever be submitted to the Academy Awards.
In 2020, Falafel Cart by Abdullah Al-Wazzan became Kuwait's first film to be officially selected at the prestigious Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan where it received a "Best of the World" honorable mention. Al-Wazzan won best international short film at the 2019 Los Angeles Animation Festival and In 2021 he won best animated short film at the Burbank International Film Festival in California, United States.
Al-Wazzan received nominations for his film Falafel Cart at D.C. Independent Film Festival in Washington, D.C., Palm Springs International Animation Festival in California, Southampton International Film Festival in the United Kingdom, Paris International Animation Film Festival in France, and Ajyal Film Festival in Doha And was officially selected at Athens Animfest in Greece, Sonoma International Film Festival in California, Rabat International Author Film Festival in Morocco and Montreal International Animation Film Festival in Canada. The film also screened theatrically in Los Angeles, Sweden and Kuwait.
In May 2017 During the Cannes Film Festival, the Doha Film Institute announced that Abdullah Al-Wazzan's drama, thriller script "Soaring over Mayhem" was selected to receive its annual film grant.
In 2014 Al-Wazzan participated officially at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and at the Dubai International Film Festival.
In 2021 ShortsTV obtained non exclusive distribution rights to Al-Wazzan's film Falafel Cart for release on its live channels and streaming platforms.
Filmography +Year Title Director Writer Producer Animator Notes2010Down from AboveShort animated film2019Falafel CartShort animated filmTBASoaring over MayhemShort live action film
Awards & Accolades Abdullah Al-Wazzan received the following awards and nominations: + List of awards and accolades received by Abdullah Al-Wazzan+YearFilmEventAwardCountryResult2019Falafel CartLos Angeles Animation FestivalBest International Short FilmUnited States2020Falafel CartHiroshima International Animation FestivalBest of the WorldJapanHonorable Mention2021Falafel CartBurbank International Film FestivalBest Animated Short FilmUnited States2019Falafel Cart Palm Springs International Animation Festival In Competition Best Animated ShortUnited States2020Falafel CartDC Independent Film Festival Short Animation FinalistUnited States 2020Falafel CartSouthampton International Film FestivalBest Animated Short FilmUnited Kingdom2020Falafel CartSouthampton International Film FestivalBest Director of an Animated FilmUnited Kingdom2020Falafel CartAjyal Film FestivalHilal Short Film CompetitionQatar2021Falafel CartParis International Animation Film FestivalHorizons Competition France
References
External links
Abdullah Al-Wazzan on IMDb Falafel Cart on IMDb Soaring over Mayhem on IMDb Falafel Cart film site RoyalTales official site