Born and raised in Morocco, Ali Essafi studied psychology in France before entering the world of filmmaking. His works as a director include General, Here We Are, The Silence Of The Beet Fields, Ouarzazate Movie and Shikhat’s Blues — which have been screened on the international circuit. Upon returning to Morocco, Essafi embarked on lengthy research on North African film and visual archives, transforming his work into films, installations and publications. His film Crossing The Seventh Gate premiered at the Berlinale Forum in 2017 and his latest film, Before the Dying of the Light, premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam in November 2020. Essafi is also a member of the Oscars Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.