Independent Writers' Caucus
Sabine El Gemayel
SABINE EL GEMAYEL is a writer, director, and editor known for exploring socio-political dynamics across Canada, France, Iran, the Levant, and the US. Born in Tehran to a Lebanese father and French mother, her artistic journey reflects the diverse cultural influences and the intense civilian war experiences that have shaped her. Her feature narrative NILOOFAR and feature documentary GENERATION ZAPPED have garnered international acclaim, along with nominations and awards at prestigious festivals like Berlinale, Cannes Junior, AFI FF, Sedona IFF, Dubai IFF, and many more.
Her screenwriting skills have earned her fellowships from Hedgebrook and DreamAgo. Her screenplay, BRINGING IT HOME, was nominated at the Breaking Through The Lens 2022 screenplay competition and became a semi-finalist for The Abortion Pipeline Grant of the Athena FF in 2024.
As a film editor, she edited Lebanon’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2020 Oscars, 1982, as well as Palestine's submission in 2004, THE OLIVE HARVEST.
Fluent in French and English and proficient in Arabic and Persian, El Gemayel's multilingual and multicultural background adds a unique perspective to her storytelling.
Currently, El Gemayel has several projects in the pipeline and is actively engaged in the industry, mentoring for the Royal Film Commission of Jordan's MOSAIC Post Lab 2025, serving on their Film Fund 2024 jury, and evaluating for Film Independent’s Global Media Makers program.
Honors & Awards
Fellowships from Hedgebrook (2019) and DreamAgo (2010 & 2012).
Nominated at the Breaking Through The Lens 2022 screenplay competition - BRINGING IT HOME - 2022
Semi-finalist for The Abortion Pipeline Grant of the Athena FF - BRINGING IT HOME - 2024
non-WGA
Female
BRINGING IT HOME
(Drama)
When Kay, a war veteran with a high-risk pregnancy due to depleted uranium exposure, meets Hadiya, a refugee and former Iraqi midwife, they’re forced to find common ground over the fate of Kay’s unborn child.
BE MY BABY
(Trilingual drama)
Colette, a French working professional and single mother living in LA, hires Tracy, an American surrogate, and Luna, a Hispanic wet nurse and caregiver, only to be confronted with the complexities of motherhood as Tracy carries the baby, Luna cares for him, and Colette only has the time to raise him part-time.
Character-driven, Female-centric, Coming-of-Age, Limited Series, Satire, Naturalistic, International
Female
repped