Sara Fattahi

Sara Fattahi serves as a Visiting Professor in the MFA in Film program at Vermont College of Fine Arts, contributing expertise in documentary filmmaking and socially engaged cinema. A Syrian filmmaker, she bridges artistic practice with critical commentary on political and humanitarian crises in the Middle East.

Her educational foundation combines legal studies from the University of Damascus with a Fine Art Institute diploma, shaping her interdisciplinary approach to visual storytelling. This background informed her early career as a storyboard artist and animator for Al Jazeera Kids and SpaceToon, later evolving into art direction for soap operas before her independent documentary work.

Fattahi’s research centers on documentary as a catalyst for social change, examining displacement, gender dynamics, and political resistance through intimate human narratives. Her films reject conventional documentary tropes, employing experimental techniques to immerse audiences in Syrian lived experiences during conflict. Current work explores the transition to fiction filmmaking, maintaining her commitment to socio-political themes while expanding narrative possibilities.

Her filmography reveals a deliberate trajectory from short-form documentaries addressing grassroots social issues (*27 METERS*, 2013) to internationally acclaimed feature-length works (*COMA*, 2015; *CHAOS*, 2018) that dissect systemic violence and resilience. These films consistently engage with Middle Eastern political cinema while achieving global recognition at top-tier festivals, reflecting her ability to translate localized struggles into universal cinematic language.

Major accolades include:

• Regard Neuf Award for Best First Feature Film at Visions du Réel (2015)
• FIPRESCI Award at the Viennale (2015)
• Pardo d’oro at Locarno Film Festival (2018)
• Extra-VALUE Film Award at the Viennale (2018)
• Altered States Award at Mar del Plata Festival (2018)

As a visiting professor, Fattahi mentors emerging filmmakers in the MFA program through residencies and workshops, emphasizing ethical storytelling in conflict zones. Her industry partnerships with organizations like Estayqazat demonstrate sustained commitment to film as a tool for social mobilization, though specific grant histories remain unpublicized in available materials.