Helana Sawires is an Australian actress best known for portraying the lead role of Dianne, a medical student, in the first Australian Muslim romantic comedy film, Ali's Wedding (2017).[1][2][3] She also appeared in 2016 short film Banana Boy, directed by Steven Woodburn.[4]
She lives in Marrickville where she grew up in a large Egyptian family with five siblings.[5] She went to Sydney's Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. She is also a drummer and Egyptian tabla player.
Her role as Dianne in Ali's Wedding brought her a nomination for Best Actress at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.[6]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Banana Boy | Mother | |
| 2017 | Ali's Wedding | Dianne | Nominated – Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts |
References
- ^ "Australia's first Muslim rom-com movie, Ali's Wedding, hopes to disarm haters as it hits big screen". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
- ^ "Helana Sawires says people will love Australia's first Muslim rom-com". Mail Online. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
- ^ "Ali's Wedding: Australia's first Muslim romantic comedy goes global on Netflix". The National. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
- ^ "BANANA BOY by Steven Woodburn". Pozible. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
- ^ "Screen NSW". screen.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
- ^ Maddox, Garry (2017-10-29). "Helana Sawires goes from drummer to best actress nominee at AACTA Awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2018-06-18.