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Biographies
Waad Al- Kateab, Director
A Syrian filmmaker, journalist, and activist known for her powerful documentaries that capture the human toll of war and displacement. Waad Al-Kateab gained international acclaim for her documentary For Sama, in which she documented her life in Aleppo during the Syrian uprising. The film received numerous awards, including the BAFTA for Best Documentary in 2020, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. For Sama also holds the distinction of being the most nominated documentary in BAFTA history and won the prestigious L'Œil d'Or (Golden Eye) for Best Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival, where it also received a six-minute standing ovation.
Waad fled Aleppo in December 2016 and is now a refugee in London with her husband, Dr. Hamza Al-Kateab, and their two daughters. In addition to her filmmaking, Waad and Hamza launched the 'Action For Sama' campaign in 2019 to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Syria and seek accountability for war crimes.
In 2023, Waad premiered her second documentary, We Dare to Dream, at the Tribeca Film Festival. This film tells the stories of refugee athletes competing in the Olympic Refugee Team, showcasing their resilience and hopes amidst adversity. The documentary was executive produced by Angelina Jolie and John Legend.
Waad's latest documentary, Death Without Mercy, premiered at Sheffield DocFest in 2024. The film recounts the catastrophic earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, using a blend of footage including CCTV, drone shots, and first-person accounts. It highlights the devastating impact of the earthquake and the human failures that exacerbated the disaster. Death Without Mercy received critical acclaim for its harrowing portrayal of the event and its aftermath, emphasising the themes of human dignity and systemic corruption.
Her work and dedication have earned her numerous accolades, including a place in the 2020 Time100 list of the most influential people and the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women in 2021.
Cate Blanchett, Actress & Humanitarian
Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed actress, producer, and activist, renowned for her transformative performances and unwavering dedication to humanitarian work. With two Academy Awards — Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator (2005) and Best Actress for Blue Jasmine (2014) — Blanchett has secured her place among the most talented performers of her generation. Her work has also earned her three BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award and the prestigious César Award in France.
Beyond her film accolades, she received the Companion of the Order of Australia honour, recognising her contributions to the performing arts and humanitarian work. Her role in Carol solidified her as a champion of nuanced, powerful characters, further reflected in her acclaimed performances in films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Elizabeth, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and TÁR.
Off-screen, Blanchett is a dedicated advocate for human rights and environmental causes. As a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), she has worked to raise awareness of the refugee crisis and promote the rights of displaced individuals. Her advocacy extends to gender equality and climate action, earning her respect as a committed humanitarian voice on the global stage.
Blanchett’s contributions to both art and humanitarianism inspire many, emphasising her legacy as a figure of empathy, resilience and dedication to creating a better world.
Joanna Natasegara, Filmmaker
Joanna Natasegara is the Academy Award®-winning filmmaker behind Violet Films, a London-based production company. Violet Films’ work finds the political in the personal, tackling global stories with an intimate lens. With over 100 award nominations and over 65 wins, Violet’s work includes the Oscar®-winning Netflix Original The White Helmets; BAFTA and Oscar®-nominated Virunga; the Oscar®-nominated The Edge of Democracy; The Heart of Invictus docu-series for Netflix in association with Archewell Productions; We Dare To Dream, the second film from Academy Award®-nominated director Waad Al-Kateab and Executive Produced by Angelina Jolie and John Legend; and Disney's Oscar® Nominated Documentary Short, Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó. Joanna's upcoming projects include: the scripted adaption of Virunga for Netflix, written by Academy Award®️-winner Barry Jenkins, Protest and Progress for Paramount Plus and an Untitled Music Doc for Film4 and Studio Gebbia.
