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Ali Selim

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Ali Selim
Born1960 or 1961 (age 63–64)[1]
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)Director, writer, producer
Years activelate 1980s–present
SpouseRobin Engstrom
Parents
  • Mohamed Ali Selim (father)
  • Evelyn Niemeier (mother)
Websitewww.aliselim.com

Ali Selim (born 1960/1961)[1] is an American film and television director. Over the past fifteen years he has directed over 850 television commercials, five half-hour documentaries and several music videos.[citation needed]

Early life

Selim was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is of Egyptian and German descent. His parents were Dr. Mohamed Ali Selim and wife Evelyn Niemeier.[2][3] He has two siblings.[4] His father died in 2015 at the age of 91, and was a professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas.[4][1]

Career

His first project, a documentary celebrating the centennial of Saint Thomas Academy, won awards at several international film festivals. Selim formed his own production company (Departure Films) in 1989. He directed a number of award-winning television commercials, including a public service announcement for the YMCA which received a Gold Lion, advertising's most coveted award, from Cannes Advertising Film Festival in 1991. Later that year, Selim was hired by Giraldi/Suarez Productions.[citation needed]

In 1993 Selim wrote, produced and directed Yonnondio, a 15-minute music video in collaboration with Academy Award-winning composer Peter Buffett which was awarded the Silver Hugo from the Chicago International Film Festival and a CINE Golden. Selim was an honoree at the AICP Show, "The Art and Technique of the American Television Commercial," where his work was placed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.[citation needed]

His script for the film Sweet Land, based on a short story by Will Weaver, was the only screenplay selected for the inaugural year of the Cyngus Emerging Filmmakers Institute. The film, which took him fifteen years to finance, was shot in 2005 around Chippewa County, Minnesota.[citation needed] It starred Alan Cumming, Ned Beatty, Elizabeth Reaser, Alex Kingston and John Heard. The film was the recipient of the 2005 Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Film at the 13th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival, the 2006 Florida Film Festival: Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature, and the 2007 Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Feature.

His narrative film Emperor of the Air (1996), based on Ethan Canin's story of the same name, was awarded the top prize at Worldfest and the D. L. Mayberry Award. Selim was placed on Advertising Weekly's list of the top 1% most sought-after directors in the United States.[citation needed]

In May 2021, Selim was hired to direct episodes of the upcoming series Secret Invasion for Disney+.[5]

Personal life

Selim is married to Robin Engstrom, of Swedish descent.[6][2] He lives in Portland, Oregon.[7][1]

Filmography

Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Writer Producer
1996 Emperor of the Air Yes Yes Yes Short film, credited as Ali Mohamed Selim
2005 Sweet Land Yes Yes Yes
2010 In Treatment Yes No No 6 episodes
2011 Criminal Minds Yes No No Episode: "Today I Do"
2014 Gracepoint Yes No No Episode: "Episode Seven"
2017 Hand of God Yes No No Episode: "I See That Now"
2018 The Looming Tower Yes Yes No Directed 2 episodes, wrote 2 episodes, also story editor
2020 Le Tour de Pants with Ali Selim No Yes No Documentary short, also narrator
2020 Manhunt Yes No No 2 episodes
2020 Condor Yes No No 2 episodes
2023 Secret Invasion Yes No No Co-directed with Thomas Bezucha

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2005 Hamptons International Film Festival Audience Awards Best Narrative Feature Sweet Land Won
2006 Florida Film Festival Audience Awards Best Narrative Feature Won
Vail Film Festival Audience Choice Awards Best Feature[8] Won
Wisconsin Film Festival Audience Awards Best Dramatic Film Won
2007 Independent Spirit Awards Best First Feature Won
2019 USC Scripter Awards Television The Looming Tower (for "9/11") Nominated
2019 Writers Guild of America Awards Long Form – Adapted The Looming Tower Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c d Justin, Neal (February 23, 2018). "The Minnesota connection behind Hulu 9/11 series 'The Looming Tower'". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2018-02-23. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Professor Mohamed Ali Selim, Ph.D." Star Tribune. December 23, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  3. ^ Winterer, Jim (December 21, 2015). "Please Remember Dr. Mohamed (Mo) Selim in Your Prayers". University of St. Thomas. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Fahim, Joseph (September 10, 2018). "In the shadow of 9/11 with director Ali Selim: 'Islam has been hijacked'". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (May 14, 2021). "'Secret Invasion': Marvel's Next Series Finds Its Directors (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2021-05-14. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Selim, Ali (July 14, 2021). "In the World of Ultralight Hiking, Everything Weighs Something". Outside. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  7. ^ "Ali Selim Archives". Outside. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Tucker, Betty Jo (April 5, 2006). "2006 Vail Film Festival Awards". ReelTalk Movie Reviews. Archived from the original on 2006-04-14. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
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