I am a creative professional based in Tunis, Tunisia, with extensive experience in video production, directing, editing, and motion graphics. I have worked with notable organizations such as BBC Media Action, Mira Safety USA, and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, producing impactful documentaries, training sessions, and promotional videos. My passion lies in storytelling through visual media, with a deep understanding of both technical and creative aspects, including lighting, color grading, and sound design. I enjoy mentoring young artists and contributing to projects that highlight social and cultural issues, particularly in the North African region.

Usama Benyaala

I am a creative professional based in Tunis, Tunisia, with extensive experience in video production, directing, editing, and motion graphics. I have worked with notable organizations such as BBC Media Action, Mira Safety USA, and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, producing impactful documentaries, training sessions, and promotional videos. My passion lies in storytelling through visual media, with a deep understanding of both technical and creative aspects, including lighting, color grading, and sound design. I enjoy mentoring young artists and contributing to projects that highlight social and cultural issues, particularly in the North African region.

Available to hire

I am a creative professional based in Tunis, Tunisia, with extensive experience in video production, directing, editing, and motion graphics. I have worked with notable organizations such as BBC Media Action, Mira Safety USA, and Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, producing impactful documentaries, training sessions, and promotional videos.

My passion lies in storytelling through visual media, with a deep understanding of both technical and creative aspects, including lighting, color grading, and sound design. I enjoy mentoring young artists and contributing to projects that highlight social and cultural issues, particularly in the North African region.

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Language

Arabic
Fluent
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Consultant/Video Editor at Mira Safety USA (Remote)
August 1, 2024 - Present
Create motion graphics for the client’s Amazon storefront and edit video content for YouTube.
Mentor/Trainer at MiCT Tunis, Tunisia
July 31, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Conducted training sessions with trainee artists to discuss and brainstorm project ideas, helping them develop creative and technical tools to realize their projects, and address artistic challenges.
Director / Editor at BBC Media Action Tunis, Tunisia
May 31, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Shot and directed a four-episode 'Food React' show for BBC Media Action’s online platform. Edited, color graded, sound mixed, and added motion graphics and subtitles.
Colorist at Documentary Feature, Tunisia
August 1, 2023 - Present
Graded and color corrected the documentary feature film “Donga.”
Producer/Director at Lowlyte, Tunis, Tunisia
July 1, 2022 - Present
Produced and directed short documentaries about struggling artists in Libya, including 'The Beat Rises' awarded a grant and screened in multiple events in Switzerland.
Consultant/Trainer at Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) Tripoli, Libya
May 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Researched and acquired high-quality photo and video; managed a network of Libyan photographers/videographers for reporting and archiving; created and presented 3-day course for media centers members.
Consultant/Video Producer at European University Institute (EUI), Tunis, Tunisia
March 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Produced, directed, and shot a series of videos covering events and activities of Libya Dialogue Platform about youth and constitution.
Consultant / Producer / Director of Photography at Khayal Production Tunis, Tunisia
December 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Researched unique stories about youth in North Africa, contacted subjects, scouted locations, managed in-house short documentary production.
Director of Photography / Contractor at Great Big Story Tunis, Tunisia
December 31, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Filmed stories about local street food in Tunisia with interviews.
Director / Director of Photography at M&C Saatchi World Services, Tunis, Tunisia
August 31, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Co-produced pre-production including location scouting, hired crew and equipment, setup and lit five sets for different show segments, directed 5 episodes in 3 days for the show 'Bankina' hosting football icons from Libya.
Director of Photography / Steadicam Operator at VICE Arabia Tunis, Tunisia
June 30, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Set up multiple cameras and lights for interviews and running/gunning. Followed subjects in daily work/social routines for the documentary “We are the night” about female DJs in the Middle East.
Video Producer / Steadicam Operator / Lighting Supervisor / Photographer at BBC Media Action - North Africa, Tunis, Tunisia / Algiers, Algeria
April 30, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Produced, directed, edited video game series “Let's Play” entitled “Awelma’a Awel”, created animations and online content for Libya youth-focused Facebook page ElKul, produced media packages for TV shows and segments, supervised live streaming lighting, operated camera and steadicam for debates, mentored Algerian Center of Social Entrepreneurship, produced youth-focused online video and graphics content, and directed a cooking segment for ElKul Facebook page.
Director / Cameraman / Contractor at 218TV Tunis, Tunisia
June 30, 2018 - August 20, 2025
Directed and filmed interviews with multi-cam setup, lighting and sound for entertainment TV segment 'Al Ashiya'.
Video Producer / Contractor at Creative Learning Tripoli, Libya
February 28, 2015 - August 20, 2025
Wrote, produced, directed, and shot public service announcements on human rights.
Video Producer / Contractor at Toyota Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 20, 2025
Covered Toyota Corolla 2014 reveal, produced videos for Toyota social media platforms about employee training events.
Video Producer / Contractor at H2O Organization Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 20, 2025
Produced videos for H2O civil society campaigns, including a short documentary for their 2nd anniversary.
Motion Graphics Designer / Video Editor at Assema TV Libya
May 31, 2012 - August 20, 2025
Created intros and graphics for shows and news segments, edited music videos and trailers.
Fixer / Translator at Aftenposten Tripoli and Bani Walid, Libya
July 31, 2012 - August 20, 2025
Conducted and translated interviews with radio managers and hosts about resuming work during ongoing war, documented entrance of rebel forces into Bani Walid, translated interviews with politicians and examined street reactions during Libya's first democratic elections after 41 years of previous regime.
Fixer / Translator at The New York Times Tripoli, Libya
September 30, 2011 - August 20, 2025
Interviewed prisoners of war and wounded soldiers on both sides and militia heads in charge of migrant detention centers.
Consultant/Video Editor at Mira Safety USA
August 1, 2024 - Present
Created motion graphics for the client's Amazon storefront and edited video content for YouTube.
Mentor/Trainer at MiCT Tunis
July 31, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Conducted training sessions with trainee artists to brainstorm project ideas, develop creative and technical tools, and address challenges in artistic expression.
Director/Editor at BBC Media Action Tunis
May 31, 2024 - August 20, 2025
Shot and directed a four-episode 'Food React' show for the online platform, edited, color graded, did sound mixing, motion graphics, and subtitles.
Colorist at Documentary Feature
August 31, 2023 - August 20, 2025
Worked as a grader and color corrector for the documentary feature film 'Donga'.
Producer/Director at Lowlyte
July 1, 2022 - Present
Produced and directed short documentaries about struggling artists in Libya; notable work includes 'The Beat Rises' (2023), which was awarded a grant from SudKulturfonds and screened in events in Switzerland.
Consultant/Trainer at Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Tripoli
May 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Researched and acquired high-quality photo and video for internal reporting, managed a network of Libyan photographers/videographers, and created a 3-day course for media center members from over 30 Libyan municipalities.
Consultant/Video Producer at European University Institute (EUI)
March 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Produced, directed, and shot a series of videos covering events and activities of the Libya Dialogue Platform about youth and constitution.
Consultant/Producer/Director of Photography at Khaya Production
December 31, 2022 - August 20, 2025
Found and researched unique stories about youth in North Africa, contacted potential subjects, arranged meetings, scouted locations, managed production for short in-house documentaries.
Director of Photography/Contractor at Great Big Story, Tunis
December 31, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Filmed stories about local street food in Tunisia including interviews.
Director/Director of Photography at M&C Saatchi World Services
August 31, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Co-produced during pre-production, scouted for best studio and hired crew, set up and lit five different sets, directed 5 episodes in 3-day shoot for the show 'Bankina' hosting football icons from Libya.
Director of Photography/Steadicam Operator at VICE Arabia
June 30, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Set up multiple cameras and lights for interviews and run-and-gun shooting; followed subjects in daily work environments for documentary 'We Are the Night' about female DJs in the Middle East.
Video Producer/Steadicam Operator/Lighting Supervisor/Photographer at BBC Media Action - North Africa
April 30, 2019 - August 20, 2025
Produced, directed, and edited a video game series 'Let's Play' called 'Awelma'a Awel' and animations for Libyan youth Facebook page; produced media packages for shows and TV segments; supervised lighting for live streams; operated cameras and steadicam; mentored Algerian center on podcast production; produced Tunisia youth-focused online video and graphic content.
Director/Cameraman/Contractor at 218TV
June 30, 2018 - August 20, 2025
Directed and filmed interviews including setup of multicam, lighting, and sound for entertainment TV segment 'Al Ashiya'.
Video Producer/Contractor at Creative Learning, Tripoli
February 28, 2015 - August 20, 2025
Wrote, produced, directed, and shot public service announcements on human rights.
Video Producer/Contractor at Toyota Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 20, 2025
Covered the Toyota Corolla 2014 reveal; produced videos for Toyota social media platforms about employee training events.
Video Producer/Contractor at H2O Organization Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 20, 2025
Produced videos for H2O civil society campaigns including a short documentary for their 2nd anniversary.
Motion Graphics Designer/Video Editor at Assema TV Libya
May 31, 2012 - August 20, 2025
Created intros and graphics for shows and news segments, edited music videos and trailers.
Fixer/Translator at Aftenposten
July 31, 2012 - August 20, 2025
Conducted and translated interviews with radio managers and hosts about resuming work during war; covered Libyan rebel forces’ entrance to Bani Walid; translated interviews with politicians and examined street reactions during first democratic elections after 41 years.
Fixer/Translator at The New York Times
September 30, 2011 - August 20, 2025
Interviewed prisoners of war and wounded soldiers on both sides, as well as militia heads in charge of migrant detention centers.
Consultant/Video Editor at Mira Safety USA (Remote)
December 31, 2024 - August 28, 2025
Created motion graphics for the client’s Amazon storefront and edited video content for YouTube, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
Mentor/Trainer at MiCT Tunis, Tunisia
November 30, 2024 - August 28, 2025
Conducted training sessions with trainee artists to brainstorm project ideas, develop creative and technical skills, and address challenges in artistic expression.
Director/Editor at BBC Media Action Tunis, Tunisia
May 31, 2024 - August 28, 2025
Shot and directed a four-episode online show “Food React,” handled editing, color grading, sound mixing, motion graphics, and subtitles to deliver engaging content.
Colorist at Documentary Feature, Tunisia
August 31, 2023 - August 28, 2025
Worked as a grader and color corrector for the documentary feature film “Donga,” contributing to the film's visual storytelling.
Producer/Director at Lowlyte Tunis, Tunisia
July 1, 2022 - Present
Producing and directing short documentaries about struggling artists in Libya, including the awarded documentary “The Beat Rises” featured in Switzerland.
Consultant/Trainer at Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Tripoli, Libya
May 31, 2022 - August 28, 2025
Researched and acquired high-quality photo and video for internal reporting, managed network of Libyan photographers/videographers, and presented workshops for media professionals.
Consultant/Video Producer at European University Institute (EUI), Tunis, Tunisia
March 31, 2022 - August 28, 2025
Produced, directed, and shot a series of videos covering events and activities of the Libya Dialogue Platform focused on youth and constitution.
Consultant/Producer/Director of Photography at Khayal Production, Tunis, Tunisia
December 31, 2022 - August 28, 2025
Found and researched unique stories about youth in North Africa, scouted locations, and managed production for short in-house documentaries.
Director of Photography/Contractor at Great Big Story, Tunis, Tunisia
December 31, 2019 - August 28, 2025
Filmed stories about local street food in Tunisia including interviews, enriching the content with local perspectives.
Director/Director of Photography at M&C Saatchi World Services, Tunis, Tunisia
August 31, 2019 - August 28, 2025
Co-produced, scouted locations, hired crew and equipment, set up and lit five different sets for five different segments, and directed five episodes in three days for the show “Bankina.”
Director of Photography/Steadicam Operator at VICE Arabia, Tunis, Tunisia
June 30, 2019 - August 28, 2025
Set up cameras and lights for interviews, followed subjects for documentary “We Are the Night” about female DJs in the Middle East.
Video Producer/Steadicam Operator/Lighting Supervisor/Photographer at BBC Media Action - North Africa (Tunis, Tunisia/Algiers, Algeria)
April 30, 2019 - August 28, 2025
Produced and directed videos and animations for youth-focused projects, supervised lighting live streams, operated cameras, mentored social entrepreneurship podcast production, and directed cooking segments.
Director/Cameraman/Contractor at 218TV, Tunis, Tunisia
June 30, 2018 - August 28, 2025
Directed and filmed interviews setting up multi-camera, light and sound for entertainment TV segment “Al Ashiya.”
Video Producer/Contractor at Creative Learning, Tripoli, Libya
February 28, 2015 - August 28, 2025
Wrote, produced, directed, and shot public service announcements on human rights.
Video Producer/Contractor at Toyota Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 28, 2025
Covered the Toyota Corolla 2014 reveal and produced videos for Toyota social media platforms about employee training events.
Video Producer/Contractor at H2O Organization Libya
December 31, 2014 - August 28, 2025
Produced videos for H2O civil society campaigns and a short documentary for their 2nd anniversary.
Motion Graphics Designer/Video Editor at Assema TV Libya
May 31, 2012 - August 28, 2025
Created intros and graphics for shows and news segments, edited music videos and trailers.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA) in Cinematic and Visual Arts at Tripoli University
September 1, 2009 - May 1, 2014
Undergraduate coursework in TV Production and Fine Arts at Murray State University
August 1, 2012 - May 1, 2013
Social entrepreneurship training courses at Miami University
July 1, 2010 - August 1, 2010
Bachelors of Fine Arts (BA) in Cinematic and Visual Arts at Tripoli University
September 1, 2009 - May 1, 2014
Social Entrepreneurship Training Courses at Miami University
July 1, 2010 - August 1, 2010
Undergraduate Coursework in TV Production and Fine Arts at Murray State University
August 1, 2012 - May 1, 2013
Undergraduate coursework in TV Production and Fine Arts at Murray State University
August 1, 2012 - May 1, 2013
Social entrepreneurship training course at Miami University
July 1, 2010 - August 1, 2010
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA) in Cinematic and Visual Arts at Tripoli University
September 1, 2009 - May 1, 2014

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Government, Professional Services