Faouzi Bensaïdi Biography: Awards, Education , Films, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Parents

Faouzi Bensaïdi is a distinguished Moroccan filmmaker, actor, screenwriter, and artist renowned for his thought-provoking films that blend social commentary with artistic innovation.

His work, characterized by a unique cinematic gaze, has been celebrated at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Berlinale, earning him a prominent place in Moroccan and international cinema.

Profile

• Full Name: Faouzi Bensaïdi
• Stage Name: Faouzi Bensaïdi
• Born: March 14, 1967
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: Meknes, Morocco
• Nationality: Moroccan
• Occupation: Filmmaker, Actor, Screenwriter, Artist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bensaïdi
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1.5 million to $2 million USD

Early Life and Education

Faouzi Bensaïdi, an acclaimed filmmaker and actor, was born on March 14, 1967, in Meknes, Morocco, to Mr. and Mrs. Bensaïdi.

He pursued acting training at the Institut Supérieur d’Art Dramatique et d’Animation Culturelle (ISADAC) in Rabat, where he honed his craft.

In 1990, he moved to Paris to further his studies at the Institut d’Études Théâtrales at the University of Paris III, followed by training at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique (CNSAD) in 1995.

He also took filmmaking courses at the École Supérieure des Études Cinématographiques (FEMIS), equipping him with a robust foundation in both acting and directing.

His academic and practical training shaped his articulate approach to filmmaking, blending theatrical experience with cinematic innovation.

Career

Faouzi Bensaïdi’s career began in theater, where he acted and directed several productions in Morocco. In 1997, he transitioned to filmmaking with his short film La Falaise, which won 23 awards at international festivals, marking his emergence as a director.

He co-wrote the screenplay for André Téchiné’s Loin (2001), a French film shot in Morocco, showcasing his screenwriting talent.

His directorial debut feature, Mille Mois (A Thousand Months, 2003), premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, earning the Premier Regard Prize and the French Ministry of Youth Prize. The film was distributed in over ten countries.

Subsequent films include What a Wonderful World (2006), a satirical exploration of globalization, and Mort à Vendre (Death for Sale, 2011), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was Morocco’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, though it didn’t make the shortlist.

His 2017 film Volubilis, selected for Venice Days at the Mostra de Venise, further solidified his reputation.

In 2025, Bensaïdi received 4 million dirhams from the Centre Cinématographique Marocain for his upcoming feature Histoire d’amour en 10 chansons, 3 mariages et 1 baiser.

As an actor, he has appeared in films like Mektoub (1997), Tresses (1999), and Le Cheval de Vent (2001).

His installations were featured at the Arts in Marrakech Festival in 2007 and 2009, and he was a resident at Casa de Velázquez in Madrid in 2023–2024.

Awards and Nominations

• 1997: La Falaise – Won 23 awards at international film festivals.
• 2003: Mille Mois – Premier Regard Prize and French Ministry of Youth Prize, Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard).
• 2011: Mort à Vendre – Selected as Morocco’s entry for Best Foreign Language Oscar (85th Academy Awards, not shortlisted).
• 2017: Volubilis – Selected for Venice Days, Mostra de Venise.

Social Media

Faouzi Bensaïdi does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Faouzi Bensaïdi, a celebrated filmmaker and actor, is 58 years old and single, with no publicly documented spouse, children, or relationships.

Based in Morocco, with periods spent in Paris and Madrid for professional engagements, he maintains a private personal life, focusing on his artistic and cinematic pursuits.

His work reflects a deep connection to Moroccan culture, addressing societal issues through a universal lens.

Filmography

Filmography:

• La Falaise (1998) – Director (Short).
• Trajets (2000) – Director (Short).
• Le Mur (2003) – Director (Short).
• Mille Mois (A Thousand Months, 2003) – Director, Screenwriter.
• What a Wonderful World (2006) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Mort à Vendre (Death for Sale, 2011) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Volubilis (2017) – Director, Screenwriter.Histoire d’amour en 10 chansons, 3 mariages et 1 baiser (2025, upcoming) – Director, Screenwriter.
• Mektoub (1997) – Actor.
• Tresses (1999) – Actor.
• Loin (2001) – Co-Screenwriter, Actor.
• Le Cheval de Vent (2001) – Actor.

Net Worth

Faouzi Bensaïdi, an accomplished filmmaker and actor, has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million to $2 million USD.

His income derives from directing, screenwriting, and acting in films, with notable revenue from Mille Mois (distributed in over ten countries) and recent funding of 4 million dirhams for his 2025 project.