Three years ago, Orwa became the first Arab to spearhead the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, one of the world’s pre-eminent showcases for non-fiction and an essential breeding ground for new international doc projects. He has made signifcant changes in its programme and selection process, including the introduction of the experimental Envision competition section for docs that are shorter than feature-length. Born in Syria, Orwa fled to Berlin after political imprisonment and made a career there producing films such as Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner RETURN TO HOMS and the Cannes-selected SILVERED WATER.