About
My name is Salma Chafouk Idrissi, and I'm a 35-year-old film director, screenwriter, and videographer with a bachelor in psychology. All of the above is part of my pseudo-Freudian life-mission to understand the mysteries of the human psyche, like peeling an onion.
I dived into the deep end with my social psychology studies but craved to translate these themes onto film. Armed with a camera and a dream, I began capturing the quirks of life, turning complex insights into digestible bytes for all.
Soon after I began creating videos for cultural organizations like the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Rode Hoed, and the Vincent van Gogh Museum. Fiction soon called my name, flinging open the doors to a world where my imagination could run wild, and my love for storytelling deepened with every "cut!"
My migration background and upbringing in a working-class neighborhood naturally influence the roots of my stories. Through my fiction work, I often explore psychological conflict from unique perspectives and bring you tears and chuckles as I "peel the onion" of life's narratives. But while my stories might dive deep, they're always dressed up in surreal, colorful flair—like a serious message wearing a party hat!
During directors recce 'It's a Sign'
My film career up till now
In 2000, amid the wild corona coaster, I made my debut short film ”Pleinvrees.” The film explores the underlying anxiety and surrealism of the era, realized through a successful crowdfunding campaign. Fast forward to 2021: rocking the ‘Nederlands Film Festival’ 'debut competition' category. Being an autodidact, this really motivated me to further pursue my film career. Hello silver screen dreams!
Next up, I was selected for the NPO Talent writing program with a web series called “Katwalk,”. It’s about a girl who wears an hijab and aspires to be a model. I directed and co-wrote the 6-episodes series. A great opportunity to further develop my skills and personal vision. A great chance to level up my skills and jazz up my personal vision - like a ninja in training, but for film!
The series gained significant media attention, including interviews for the NOS, Trouw, Het Parool, De Volkskrant, NRC, De Kanttekening. The NOS Jeugdjournaal (look mom, I made it!) did a 5-minute item on the series.
Katwalk was selected by Cinekid in the categorie ‘Best series’.
Then, I co-wrote an episode for the NPO TV series 'NOOD' and recently wrapped up my brand new project 'It’s a Sign,' a ‘Filmfonds Shorts’ film which is a quirky take on cultural clashes in bicultural families.
And like a humble chef perfecting recipes, I’m quietly simmering a batch of fresh ideas - more to serve up soon!