About May
May Kassem is an accomplished Egyptian filmmaker currently based in Canada as a Film Studies Postgraduate student at Carleton University. She has written and directed award-winning short films, such as The Big Chill, which earned the Best Actor award at Cinemadamare 2017 in Erice, Italy, and Gone (Andato), selected for the Social World Film Festival market selection 2018 in Napoli, Italy.
Motivated by a commitment to amplify female voices, May weaves socio-economic and health-related narratives into her films. As a global citizen, she grew up in the UAE, studied in Egypt amidst the revolution, and pursued postgraduate studies in Germany and Canada, infusing her work with a unique perspective on identity and integration for Egyptians abroad.
May is pursuing her master's degree in Film Studies at Carleton University. Beyond her filmmaking endeavours, she is a versatile individual who loves singing, having been part of various musical ensembles and performances, including the GUC Music Ensemble and the Carleton University Choral Music under the guidance of Ohoude Khadr, Nevine Alouba and conductors such as Hesham Gabr, Shady Abdelsalam and Antonio Llaca. Her artistic journey reflects a dynamic fusion of cultural experiences and a dedication to storytelling through film and music.
Photo by Christian Nyce | Nyce Image Productions