The full story
Firas Sameer is an award-winning Iraqi film director, born in Baghdad in 1977. With a passion for cinematic storytelling that spans decades, Firas has earned multiple international accolades for his artistic productions in film festivals across the United States, Canada, India, and beyond.
His journey into filmmaking began long before formal training—driven by a deep personal commitment to the arts. Despite starting his career in a completely different field, Firas carved a unique path that bridges both technology and creativity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efGzad-af5g
A Dual Path: Engineering & Art
Firas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Control from the University of Technology in Baghdad (2002). For nearly 14 years, he worked with prominent international companies, managing engineering roles in telecommunications and infrastructure projects. Yet, throughout his technical career, he nurtured his artistic side—refining his skills in filmmaking, editing, design, and storytelling during his spare time.
His artistic inclinations emerged at a very young age. In pre-primary school, his teachers noted his exceptional talent in drawing, and he was selected as a member of a children’s choir, showcasing remarkable musical ability at just four years old. His love for cinema took root around the age of twelve, inspired by science fiction films like Godzilla, Star Wars, and Superman. Intrigued by the visual effects and cinematic illusions, he began exploring books and documentaries that revealed the secrets behind the magic of film.
Early Artistic Recognition
During his school years, Firas represented his elementary school, Saint Joseph in Baghdad, in several national art exhibitions—winning first prize multiple times for his artwork. In adolescence, he developed a passion for sculpture, working with wood and clay, and receiving praise from professional sculptors.
Despite his desire to pursue formal education in the arts, Firas faced family pressure to follow a more traditional path aligned with the values of his academically driven household. With relatives in medical and engineering fields, including a doctor sister and engineer brother, he was encouraged to study engineering. Nevertheless, his artistic pursuits continued to flourish in parallel with his academic and professional journey.
A Filmmaker Emerges
After relocating to Dubai in 2006, Firas found greater freedom to explore the world of filmmaking. The multicultural environment, access to global resources, and opportunities for creative collaboration allowed him to study scriptwriting, practice video editing, and engage with cinema institutions.
He further enriched his experience by working as an extra in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise, where he observed firsthand the professional filmmaking process in a major Hollywood production.
While still working in engineering, Firas took on freelance projects, offering professional video editing, cinematic effects, color grading, and audio design for a variety of clients. His passion and growing expertise ultimately led him to leave the engineering field and dedicate himself fully to the creative industry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpIMp73ltEY
Babylon Gate Films
In 2018, Firas officially established Babylon Gate Films LLC, a production company based in Dubai, specializing in cinematic storytelling, documentaries, and creative media solutions. In 2019, he transitioned entirely into filmmaking—turning a lifelong passion into a full-time profession.
Today, Firas Sameer continues to blend technical precision with artistic vision, creating powerful visual narratives that connect with audiences across cultures.
