Adwaء‎ Bader: The new face of Arab film’s future

When the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) crowned Adwaء‎ Bader a ‘Rising Star’ with their award in 2023, it knew what it was talking about—the Saudi-American artist is lightingup screens and scenes alike. At 25, she’s modelled for fashion industry titans and already had film roles crafted for her by the likes of director Meshal Aljaser. With a repertoire tracing poetry, modelling, acting, music and screenwriting, the breadth of Adwaء‎’s artistry is united by a singular output: Storytelling. Dazed MENA speaks to Adwaء‎ about roots, rebellion and rising to her place in the new age of Arab cinema. 

Born in Florida to Saudi parents, Adwaء ‎spent her early childhood in Texas before moving to Riyadh when she was nine. The artist credits her career rise to her home life, an environment that coaxed her creative expression with distinct compassion. “My family has been instrumental in creating a nurturing environment where I can grow, experiment with new artistic techniques and feel free to make mistakes,” Adwaء‎ tells Dazed MENA. “They constantly encourage me to pursue my dreams, reminding me that no ambition is too big and no goal is unattainable.”

When, still in high school, Adwaء‎ began to post self-portraits on Tumblr and Instagram, the limelight seemed to claim her, sensing her potential before she even truly pursued it. Her posts garnered her campaigns with Harvey Nichols, Farfetch and Burberry in the UAE, ushering her into the fashion and modelling world. It was within this new realm that she began meeting directors, inching her toward one of her many callings. “Being in front of the camera has always felt natural to me, but it was my friend Meshal who truly inspired me to step into filmmaking,” Adwaء‎ remarks. “He saw not only my talent for acting but also recognised my potential as a screenwriter.” 

Crossing paths with director Meshal Aljaser early in her career was a stroke of serendipity for Adwaء‎, sparking the beginning of a lasting creative partnership. When she made her acting debut in 2022, it was in Meshal’s short film Can I Go Out? filmed years before its release. Her TIFF Rising Star award, which she earned a year after her debut, was for a role in Meshal’s satirical, zany thriller NAGA—one that the director had crafted especially for her. “It’s been an incredible honour,” Adwaء‎ shares warmly. “Being the first Saudi actor to receive this award and the Rising Star title is not only a personal achievement but also a victory for my talented peers who brought the film to life and for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Adwaء‎ never misses an opportunity to honour her heritage; in merit or in conversation, she persistently reflects on the impact her upbringing had on her artistic expression. “As a Saudi-American actor and screenwriter, my work flows from a place of deep connection to both my roots and the world I grew up in,” Adwaء‎ expatiates. “I seek to tell stories that capture the pulse of life in the MENA region—the struggles, the joys and the resilience that shape us – by weaving together the traditions and contemporary realities of my culture and bringing life to genuine and universal characters, inviting audiences to see themselves in these experiences regardless of their background and cultural identity.”

Adwaء‎’s artistic approach is anchored in the belief that art should hold meaning and provoke introspection. “I believe that art becomes powerful when it’s created with intention and purpose,” Adwaء‎ asserts. “Through my work, I hope to inspire people to see the world through new perspectives and connect with emotions they may not have experienced. My goal is to use storytelling to bridge divides, spark empathy and curiosity and remind us of our shared humanity.”

It’s her earnest desire to translate the meaningful details, the humanising ones, that propels Adwaء‎’s work – a satisfaction she gains from rendering the full complexities of her characters. And for a published poet, it’s unsurprising that the poetry of the quotidian is what spurs Adwaء‎ most. “What drives me is a raw, almost relentless pull to connect with something deeper,” she remarks. “Creativity feels like a kind of quiet madness, fuelled by the need to translate what I feel but can’t always put into words. I find my inspiration in the cracks of everyday life, the late nights, the stillness and even the struggles. My work is how I make sense of things, how I reach for truth—even if it’s messy, especially if it leaves me vulnerable or a little ridiculous.”

Adwaء‎ seems to view her art as an imperfect pursuit of truth, even if it exposes her own vulnerability. “I want my stories to be honest, to make people feel something real, something that stirs them at their core—or sometimes, something light and funny enough to lift them out of their own world,” she expresses. “That’s what I love about film – there are no limits, no rules when it comes to creation. It’s not always about seriousness – sometimes, it’s about embracing contradictions and making it fun. Sure, I have big aspirations, but sometimes, all I want is to make a silly, carefree movie that brings joy.”

With a horizon crowded with projects, Adwaء‎’s creative appetite is currently being sustained by two projects: one is under the lock and key of ongoing production, and the other is a feature film titled Lail Nahar coming out in December this year. “The film was created, directed and written by Abdulaziz Almuzaini, which I had the privilege of co-writing,” Adwaء‎ reveals. “On top of that, I’ve been putting together some music over the last few years – something a little different, a bit experimental, so expect that to come out soon.”