YOSSERA

Writer/director Yossera Bouchtia was born in Rabat, Morocco. Some of her earliest memories are of her father returning from the local souks with VHS copies of classic films, sparking her interest in cinema. At the age of seven, Bouchtia emigrated to the United States after her family unexpectedly won the “Green Card Lottery.” Having relocated to the Washington D.C area, Bouchtia’s interest in filmmaking grew, as she recognized the endless possibilities for expression.

Drawing on her diverse background and fluency in English, French and Arabic, Bouchtia’s passion and unique approach to storytelling bridges the gap between East and West, shedding light on untold stories and unheard voices while challenging stereotypes, dispelling misconceptions and sharing underrepresented perspectives. Bouchtia’s work spans across genres, including magical realism, neorealism, thrillers, biopics and experimental narratives.

Bouchtia’s short films have garnered international recognition, screening at prominent film festivals worldwide and receiving numerous accolades, including the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Production Grant for her short film INTO THE VOID. For her short film I AM SELMA, she received the Dr. Jack G. Shaheen Communications Scholarship sponsored by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Bouchtia received her M.F.A. in Film Directing from Columbia University and earned a dual degree in Cinema (B.A) and Psychology (B.S) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Currently based in Richmond, Virginia, Bouchtia is Assistant Professor and Program Director of Cinema at VCU School of the Arts.

Her next film YASMINE/JASMINE is currently in development. To support, click here.