Fatima Al-Banawi is a well-known Saudi woman who entered the creative world as an actress, writer, and filmmaker. In drama and theatre, she has produced significant works and achievements.
Fatima Al-Banawi’s Upbringing and Education
Fatima Al-Banawi was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and attended elementary and intermediate school there. She joined Effat National University and earned a degree in psychology in 2011.
Moreover, she received a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Harvard University in the United States of America in 2013.
She had some theatrical experience when she transferred to Harvard University, and in 2010, she helped to create a theatre in Jeddah and performed in several of its productions.
Her Professional Career Beginning
She worked in psychological assistance for the Family Protection Society in Jeddah after receiving her degree in 2011 and remained employed there even while attending Harvard University.
Once back in Saudi Arabia, Fatima Al-Banawi started working as a consultant at the Islamic Development Bank in 2015 and stayed there until 2016.
Her Involvement with Dramas
In 2017, she took part in the Saudi television series “Bishr.” With distinct episodes and tales, this show addressed various societal concerns impacting the Saudi population in the area.
She was one of 30 female content producers who got the chance, and in 2019 she acted in the Saudi drama film “Rollm,” which appeared at a Jeddah theatre.
She also acted in the co-written and co-directed series “Paranormal” on Netflix and “Doubt” on the Shahid platform.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian thriller and suspense series “60 Minutes,” in which she starred and premiered on the Shahid platform, had the greatest audience rate in Egypt at the start of its broadcast.
Her Most Noteworthy Achievements:
As for her work as a film director, Al-Banawi received funding for her debut feature film project, “Basma,” from the Red Sea Film Fund.
In the feature film competition at the 2021 Malmö Arab Film Festival in Sweden, she got the chance to serve on the jury.
Fatima Al-Banawi directed several social and dramatic theatrical performances, including the play “The Straight Circle,” which took the form of street theatre in the first session of the Jeddah Seasons in Saudi Arabia.
Fatima Al-Banawi’s Most Prominent Works
- Baraka meets Baraka 2016.
- Human Series, 2017.
- Al-Dur film 2019.
- Umm Al-Qalaid series 2020.
- Doubt Series, 2020.
- Paranormal 2020 series.
