I am an Belgian-Tunisian artist and director. I am dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration with a focus on non-fiction narratives.
My career began as a war correspondent and photojournalist, working for publications like Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, Le Monde, Stern, and Time Magazine. Throughout my career, I have traveled to over 90 countries, gathering stories and experiences that have deeply influenced my work.
My artistic practice delves into the "Narratives of War," examining how stories are constructed and used in the process of dehumanization to rationalize violence.
Over time, I shifted my focus towards immersive media, exploring the potential of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality to tell engaging stories.
I have been a fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University, an Artist-in-Residence at the OpenDocLab, and a Visiting Artist at the Center for Arts, Science & Technology, both at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Additionally, I have shared my experiences and insights as a guest lecturer at institutions like the Parsons School of Design, Zurich University of the Arts, Harvard University's Kennedy School, and MIT amongst other academic institutions. I have also participated as a speaker at numerous conferences and have served as a jury member or mentor at various festivals.
As of Spring 2024, I am an Artist-in-Residence at the Center for Humans and Machines at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and since 2019, I have serve on the advisory board of the Center for Advanced Virtuality at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and be a member of the Guild of Future Architects in Los Angeles.
Awards & grants
| 2022 – Crystal Owl Award Stereoposia
Augmented Reality experience of the year
Seven Grams
Brussels, Belgium
| 2022 – FIPADOC
Best Digital Storytelling
Seven Grams
Biarritz, France
| 2021 – Prix Europa
Honorable Mention – Best Digital Storytelling
Seven Grams
Potsdam, Germany
| 2018 – Geneva International Film Festival
Best Virtual Reality – Sensible award
The Enemy
Geneva, Switzerland
| 2018 – World VR Forum
Best Virtual Reality Journalism
The Enemy
Crans Montana, Switzerland
| 2018 – Numix Digital
Grand Prix of the Year
The Enemy
Montreal, Canada
| 2018 – Numix Digital
Best Immersive experience of the year
The Enemy
Montreal, Canada
| 2017 – European Broadcasting Union
Rose d’Or Award
Best virtual reality experience
The Enemy
Berlin, Germany
| 2016 – Google Digital News Initiative
The Enemy
Paris, France
| 2014 – Open Society Foundation
Audience Engagement Grant
New York City, USA
| 2013 – PBS/POV Hackaton
Winner
Portraits of the Enemies
New York City, USA
2009 – Global Orient award
Finalist
Portraits of the Enemies
Singapore
| 2005 – Photo District News
30 under 30
New York City, USA
| 2004 – Visa Pour L’image
Young photo reporter of the Year
Perpignan, France
| 2004 – Prix Bayeux for War Correspondents
Finalist Photo
War In Iraq
Bayeux, France
| 2000 – World Press Photo Masterclass
Walfadjari & Asahi Shimbun
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| 2000 – Prix National de Photographie
War in Kosovo
Musée de la photographie
Charleroi, Belgium
| 1999 – Prix Bayeux for War Correspondents
Finalist Photo
War In Kosovo
Bayeux, France
Exhibitions & festival appearances
(Partial list)
| 2024 – Les Mesnographies
Open air exhibition
In 36,000 Ways
Les Mesnuls, France
| 2024 – Gallery Anahita Sadighi
Solo Show
In 36,000 Ways
Berlin, Germany
| 2022 – Sundance Film Festival
North American Premiere
Seven Grams
Park City, USA
| 2022 – FIPADOC
Seven Grams
Biarritz, France
| 2021 – Refresh
Seven Grams
Zürich, Switzerland
| 2021 – Prix Bayeux Calvados War Correspondents
Seven Grams
Bayeux, France
| 2021 – SilberSalz Festival
Seven Grams
Halle, Germany
| 2018 – Geneva International Film Festival
The Enemy
Geneva, Switzerland
| 2018 – Centre PHI
The Enemy
Montréal, Canada
| 2018 – International Film Festival of India
The Enemy
Goa, India
| 2018 – World VR Forum
The Enemy
Crans Montana, Switzerland
| 2017 – MIT Museum
The Enemy
Cambridge, USA
| 2017 – Tel Aviv Student Film Festival
The Enemy
Tel Aviv, Israel
| 2017 – Institut du Monde Arabe
The Enemy
Paris, France
| 2015 – TriBeCa Film Festival
Storyscapes Competition
The Enemy
New York City, USA
| 2012 – Prix Bayeux for War Correspondents
Portaits of the Enemies
Bayeux, France
| 2009 – Victoria & Albert Museum
Portraits of the Enemies
London, United Kingdom
| 2008 – Photo Festival
War in Iraq
Shenyang, China
| 2005– Jardin du Luxembourg
Reporters Without Borders 20th Anniversary
Paris, France
| 2004 – Festival Visa pour l’Image
War in Iraq
Fujifilm Award
Perpignan, France
| 2003 – Conde Duque Museum
Yemen, In The Land Of Queen Sheba
Madrid, Spain
| 2001 – Rencontre de la Photographie Africaine
Depleted Uranium in Iraq
Bamako, Mali
| 2000 – International House
War in Kosovo
Brussels, Belgium
Fellowships & residencies
| 2024 – Max Planck Institute for Human Development Lab
Artist-in-Residence at the Center for Humans and Machines
Berlin, Germany
| 2015 to 2017 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Visiting Artist at CAST / ICE
Cambridge, USA
| 2014 – Sundance Film Institute
Fellow at the New Frontier Program
Los Angeles, USA
| 2013 to 20 15 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Artist-in-Residence at the Open Documentary Lab
Cambridge, USA
| 2012 to 2013 – Harvard University
Fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism
Cambridge, USA