Sophie Ataya

Sophie Ataya is a German-Palestinian writer, director, and film curator based in Berlin. She holds a degree in Middle Eastern Studies (Free University Berlin and Birzeit University, 2019) and is an alumna of the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris (2023–24), a prestigious program focused on international (co)production, distribution, and sales at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, La Fémis in Paris, and NFTS in London. As part of the Atelier program, she produced the short film “Let’s Call It Love,” which premiered in the Max Ophüls Film Festival.

Before shifting to filmmaking, Sophie worked in cultural production with international organizations in Lebanon and Palestine. From 2020 το 2022, she participated in a Documentary Directing program at the self-organized film school FilmArche in Berlin. In her cinematic work, she focuses on (post)migration identities, as well as themes of identity and belonging from a post-migration perspective. Through storytelling, she seeks to amplify underrepresented narratives, using film as a tool for empowerment and anti-colonial practice.

In her curatorial practice, she focuses on contemporary Arab cinema, curating short film programs for various screenings in Berlin and Paris. Through these events, she highlights the power of film to foster community and collective experience.

She has directed and produced a short essay film and is currently developing the script for her first fiction short film. “Who We Are” (working title) is her debut feature documentary.

Sophie Ataya is a participant of the Onassis AiR Extended Research Residencies program for 2025/26.