Rodrigue Hammal is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker of Lebanese and Syrian heritage. Growing up during the tumultuous times of the Lebanese civil war, his childhood and teenage years were profoundly shaped by this backdrop.

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As a queer filmmaker, Rodrigue's experiences have deeply influenced his perspective on life and storytelling, driving him to explore narratives that highlight the experiences of minorities, mental health, and human struggles. His passion for authentic storytelling led him to graduate with honors from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts in Beirut, where he honed his filmmaking skills before diving headfirst into directing.

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With over 18 years of hands-on experience and fluency in four languages, Rodrigue has successfully navigated diverse markets, captivating audiences across the Middle East, the GCC region, North Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

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His recent project, “Exception” received critical acclaim, winning the "Best of the Festival Award" at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival (2024), Best Short on Social Justice at the Cyrus Film Festival, and the Audience Choice Award for Best Directing at the WILDsound Feedback Film and Screenplay Festival TV 2024.

 

His earlier works, “The Bridge” (short drama) and “Anatomy of a Warrior” (feature documentary), have also garnered extensive recognition at local and international film festivals.

 

In 2023, Rodrigue won the Best Screenwriting Award at the NYC Indie Shorts Awards for a short dark comedy, “In Her Shoes". That same year, he received a prestigious grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, which has enabled him to develop his upcoming feature film, “The Skins That Remain". He is also developing “Blood, Sweat & Tears”, an anthology focused on and crafted for the LGBTQ+ community in the Middle East.

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Based in Toronto, Canada, Rodrigue Hammal continues to create compelling stories that resonate far beyond the screen, solidifying his reputation as a distinguished talent in the film industry.