Alfoz Tanjour is an Austrian film director, born in Syria. He studied Film Directing at the Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, Faculty of Dramatic Arts in the Republic of Moldova, and since his graduation has worked extensively as a director, cinematographer, editor, and producer. His body of work spans short films, feature documentaries, and television drama series, distinguished by artistic depth and strong social engagement.
Alfoz directed numerous short films, including The End of a Red Balloon and A Little Sun, the latter winning the Bronze Tanit Award at the Carthage Film Festival in 2008 and the Special Jury Prize at the Mons International Film Festival in Belgium in 2009. His works often reflect on socio-political issues in Syria and the broader Middle East, earning him recognition as a significant voice in contemporary Arab cinema. Through a poetic yet realistic cinematic language, his films explore themes of conflict, displacement, and identity, providing a deeply personal perspective on collective experiences of trauma and resilience.
As a documentary filmmaker, Alfoz has directed several acclaimed works such as Damascus, City Symphony, Black Stone, Cola Bridge, Outside the City’s Walls, Rebellious Spirits, Faraway, So Close to Homeland, Soul, and Wooden Rifle — the latter receiving the Public Liberties and Human Rights Award at the Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival in 2013 and the Gold Panda Award for Best Production at the International Gold Panda Awards in China in 2014.
His feature-length documentary A Memory in Khaki (2017) received wide critical acclaim and was screened at numerous prestigious international film festivals, including Hot Docs (Canada), Karlovy Vary IFF, DOK Leipzig, Dubai IFF, Diagonale, Bergen IFF, and Montpellier IFF. The film won several major awards, among them the Grand Mayor’s Prize at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, the Best Director Award at the Malmö Arab Film Festival (Sweden), and Karama’s Feather Award for Best Documentary at the Karama Human Rights Film Festival (Amman).
In recent years, Alfoz has made notable contributions to television drama, establishing himself as a leading director in both the Middle East and Europe. His narrative approach draws on his background in both fiction and documentary, combining cinematic realism with dramatic tension to create emotionally rich, visually striking works. His series are known for their strong storytelling, authentic performances, and artistic craftsmanship, balancing critical depth with popular appeal.
Alfoz’s television work includes:
• “Six Minus One” (2022) – a seven-episode thriller series filmed in Abu Dhabi, produced by SHAHID VOD – MBC Group.
• “AL-Sharar” (2023) – a historical Bedouin drama (21 episodes) produced by MBC Studios in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recognized as one of the best TV series in the MENA region.
• “Forgetfulness” (2024) – a 15-episode contemporary drama filmed in Beirut, premiered on Amazon Prime, and received high critical acclaim.
• “Habitain” (2024–2025) – an eight-episode drama filmed in Riyadh, set to premiere on Yango Play.
• “Al-Dhariya” (2025) an eight-episode thriller – his latest work as scriptwriter and co-director (directing half of the series), premiered on SHAHID in October 2025.
Alfoz continues to develop new projects for both cinema and television, maintaining his focus on human stories, visual storytelling, and socially engaged narratives that bridge cultures and resonate with audiences worldwide.
