Artist Biography
Alex El Dahdah is a filmmaker and visual artist whose diverse portfolio includes drama short films, video art, and digital prints. His work has been displayed and screened in galleries and festivals across major cities like Los Angeles, Mumbai, Beijing, London, and Montreal. With a Bachelor of Art in Television and Film and a minor in Performing Arts from the Lebanese American University, Alex expanded his artistic practice and research interests by obtaining an MFA in Multidisciplinary Art and a Certificate in the College Teaching of Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Born and raised in Byblos, Lebanon, Alex's journey has taken him through various cultural landscapes, having worked and lived in Beirut, Dubai, San Francisco, and Baltimore. His roles have spanned Film producer and editor, lighting operator, performer in theater and film, private tutor, marketing advisor, content producer, and production designer. This range of experiences has equipped him with a broad skill set and a unique perspective in his artistic endeavors.
Alex is expanding his horizons at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art through an internship. He also lends his insights as a member of the screening committee at the Maryland Film Festival and actively participates in the Kelme Linguistic Initiative. Committed to a grounded approach and unwavering dedication to artistic growth, Alex skillfully integrates his rich experiences into his art and storytelling.
Born and raised in Byblos, Lebanon, Alex's journey has taken him through various cultural landscapes, having worked and lived in Beirut, Dubai, San Francisco, and Baltimore. His roles have spanned Film producer and editor, lighting operator, performer in theater and film, private tutor, marketing advisor, content producer, and production designer. This range of experiences has equipped him with a broad skill set and a unique perspective in his artistic endeavors.
Alex is expanding his horizons at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art through an internship. He also lends his insights as a member of the screening committee at the Maryland Film Festival and actively participates in the Kelme Linguistic Initiative. Committed to a grounded approach and unwavering dedication to artistic growth, Alex skillfully integrates his rich experiences into his art and storytelling.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Multidisciplinary Art - Maryland Institute College of Art (2023)
Bachelor of Arts in Television and Film and Minor in Performing Arts - Lebanese American University (2019)
Bachelor of Arts in Television and Film and Minor in Performing Arts - Lebanese American University (2019)
Screenings and Exhibitions
Film screenings, selections and awards: Lebanese Independent Film Festival (Official Selection, Lebanon, 2023); Asia North (Screening and Panel Discussion, United States, 2023); IndieX Film Fest (Annual Award Nominee, United States, 2022); Las Cruces International Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2022); Top Indie Film Awards (Official Selection, Japan, 2021); Watersprite Film Festival (Official Selection, United Kingdom, 2021); First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (Official Selection, United Kingdom, 2021); Karnavati International Film Festival (Official Selection, India, 2021); ISAFF Saint Petersburg (Honorable Mention, Russia, 2021); KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (Official Selection, India, 2021); Tracce Cinematografiche Film Fest (Official Selection, Italy, 2021); Alvsbyn Film Festival (Official Selection, Sweden, 2021); Spring Grove Caledonia Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2021); QueerX Los Angeles (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Queer Global Arts Fest (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Internacional Queer Film Festival Playa del Carmen (Official Selection, Mexico, 2021); Lebanese Independent Film Festival (Official Selection, Lebanon, 2021); Beijing Queer Film Festival (Official Selection, China, 2021); Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Global Youth Film Festival (Official Selection, Bangladesh, 2021); Aurora Film Festival (Official Selection, Italy, 2020); GlennFest Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2020); IndieX Film Fest (Award of Excellence, Special Jury Mention, United States, 2020); IndieX Film Fest (Best LGBTQ Short, United States, 2020); Hilltop Film Festival of Diversity and Inclusion (Official Selection, United States, 2020); Screen Power Film Festival (Best LGBTQ+ Film, United Kingdom, 2020); Andromeda Film Festival (Official Selection, Turkey, 2020); Hidalgo Film Fest (Official Selection, Mexico, 2020); image+nation festival (Official Selection, Canada, 2020); LIFFT (Nominee, India, 2020); NewFilmmakers LA (Official Selection for InFocus: Middle Eastern Cinema, United States, 2020, hosted by the Academy Awards).
Film screenings, selections and awards: Lebanese Independent Film Festival (Official Selection, Lebanon, 2023); Asia North (Screening and Panel Discussion, United States, 2023); IndieX Film Fest (Annual Award Nominee, United States, 2022); Las Cruces International Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2022); Top Indie Film Awards (Official Selection, Japan, 2021); Watersprite Film Festival (Official Selection, United Kingdom, 2021); First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (Official Selection, United Kingdom, 2021); Karnavati International Film Festival (Official Selection, India, 2021); ISAFF Saint Petersburg (Honorable Mention, Russia, 2021); KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (Official Selection, India, 2021); Tracce Cinematografiche Film Fest (Official Selection, Italy, 2021); Alvsbyn Film Festival (Official Selection, Sweden, 2021); Spring Grove Caledonia Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2021); QueerX Los Angeles (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Queer Global Arts Fest (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Internacional Queer Film Festival Playa del Carmen (Official Selection, Mexico, 2021); Lebanese Independent Film Festival (Official Selection, Lebanon, 2021); Beijing Queer Film Festival (Official Selection, China, 2021); Las Vegas Queer Arts Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2021); Global Youth Film Festival (Official Selection, Bangladesh, 2021); Aurora Film Festival (Official Selection, Italy, 2020); GlennFest Film Festival (Official Selection, United States, 2020); IndieX Film Fest (Award of Excellence, Special Jury Mention, United States, 2020); IndieX Film Fest (Best LGBTQ Short, United States, 2020); Hilltop Film Festival of Diversity and Inclusion (Official Selection, United States, 2020); Screen Power Film Festival (Best LGBTQ+ Film, United Kingdom, 2020); Andromeda Film Festival (Official Selection, Turkey, 2020); Hidalgo Film Fest (Official Selection, Mexico, 2020); image+nation festival (Official Selection, Canada, 2020); LIFFT (Nominee, India, 2020); NewFilmmakers LA (Official Selection for InFocus: Middle Eastern Cinema, United States, 2020, hosted by the Academy Awards).
Gallery Exhibitions: TRANSITION/TRANSformation/TRANScendence (Group Show, The Parlor, Baltimore, MD, United States, 2023), Artists United Times Square Equibition (Time Square, New York, NY, United States, 2023), Mount Royal Thesis Exhibition (Group Show, Fanny Fox Decker and Meyerhoff Galleries, Baltimore, MD, United States, 2023), Holding Tension (Group Show, Leidy Gallery, Baltimore, MD, United States, 2022); You Are Here (Group Show, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco, CA, United States, 2022); It’s About Time (Group Show, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco, CA, United States, 2021).