Director, ProdCo
Born and raised in Cairo to a family of writers, journalists and film critics, Lana Senaoui was immersed in global cinema from a young age. Her childhood was filled with screenings, critiques, and conversations about film from around the world — a deeply formative environment that shaped her cinematic worldview and taught her to see storytelling as a universal language.
Long before stepping behind the camera, Lana was a professional ballerina at the Cairo Opera House and studied classical piano. That early discipline instilled in her an obsessive sense of timing, and today, every cut she makes — visually or sonically — carries the same flawless command of rhythm.
She holds a BA in journalism and began her career assisting reporters while still a student, contributing to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She was also a published columnist for Egypt’s largest newspaper, authoring investigative pieces — a body of work that sharpened her ability to dig deep, ask the right questions, and craft compelling narratives with grit and clarity.
Lana’s evolution into commercial directing came through the creative ranks at BBDO and JWT Cairo, where she began as a copywriter working for global brands such as Pepsi, Mercedes and Nestle, before fully transitioning to the director’s chair in 2017. Since then, she has directed work for international brands including Instagram, Lufthansa, Vodafone, P&G, Unilever, and Nestlé. Her work moves fluidly between narrative, comedy, drama, and fashion — unified by an unmistakably cinematic approach marked by visceral storytelling and emotional sensitivity.
Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, and shaped by a French Catholic education in Cairo, Lana has spent her life immersed in multiple cultures — an upbringing that makes her remarkably adaptable across markets. Whether working in the Middle East, Europe, or North America, she brings an intuitive sensitivity to every story, able to adapt to any culture without losing her voice.
Her visual language is meticulous yet spontaneous — every shot thoughtfully composed, yet always open to the unscripted. This tension between structure and instinct is at the heart of her work. Drawing from her background in investigative journalism and years of interviewing real people, Lana has a gift for working with non-actors, drawing out lived-in, natural performances that ground her films in emotional truth.
Lana’s work has been recognized by D&AD, The One Show, Ciclope, Clio Music, Shots Awards, Kinsale Sharks, 1.4 Awards, and as a Vimeo Staff Pick for Best of the Year.
