Manal Awad

reference Manal’s got some serious stage chops. She studied acting in Tunisia at the Institution Superiour D’Art Dramatique, then went straight for a Master’s in Theater Directing at RADA in London—yeah, the real deal. After that, she bounced all over film, TV, and theater, especially in the Palestinian cinema world. You might’ve spotted her in “Kazooz - The Bride, her Groom and his Resurrection” by Amira Diab, or in Hani Abu Assad’s “Salon Huda” and “The Idol.” She’s also in “Gaza Mon Amour” and “Degradé.” Honestly, her filmography is packed. But where she really made her mark? That’d be the satirical TV comedy “Watan A Watar”—not just starring, but writing too. The show ran for ten years straight, picking up awards left and right. That’s no small feat. She’s been all over the globe with her theater work, acting in loads of plays and hitting up festivals everywhere. Plus, she even directed a play called “603” with The Royal Court Theatre in London, which is pretty wild. Most people know her as a comedian—she’s got that quick wit, loads of stand-up gigs under her belt, performing everywhere from Palestine to Canada. Her show “All Inclusive” really took off. And yeah, she snagged the Saïd Foundation Alumni Achievement Prize back in 2014, which is all about recognizing people who actually make a difference. Manal’s not just an actress—she’s a force.