Awad Joumaa is an award-winning multilingual journalist, filmmaker, and executive producer with over 20 years of experience in international news and documentary filmmaking.
He has worked in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
He currently serves as Head of Originals at AJ360, Al Jazeera’s global VOD platform dedicated to bold, human-centered Arabic storytelling. Since assuming this role, Awad has overseen the development, commissioning, and production of over 350 original films and series in under two years—ranging from long-form documentaries to programs, Docu-dramas and hybrid factual series spanning conflict, identity, social justice, social comedy, religion and personal development.
Under his creative and editorial leadership, AJ360’s original productions have won multiple international awards, including: Telly Awards (Gold, Silver, and Bronze)New York Festivals TV & Film AwardsHuman Rights Film Festival honors.
Among his most notable recent works is the groundbreaking 13-part investigative documentary series The Cost of War: October 7, which explores the political, economic, military, and psychological impact of the war on Gaza within Israeli society.
He also created, directed and produced Diaries of a Fighter, a global docuseries exploring why people take up arms—from Palestine to Ukraine, Syria, the Philippines, and the Amazon. The series won several award including the Telly Awards in 2024 for its innovative approach to global conflict storytelling.
Prior to leading AJ360 Originals, Awad served as Executive News Producer for Al Jazeera English, where he led field coverage of major global crises in Iraq, Libya, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the occupied Palestinian territories. His team was nominated for the Golden Nymph Award for their breaking news coverage of the U.S. Embassy relocation to Jerusalem. He also played a central role in producing frontline coverage during the battle for Mosul and NATO’s Libya campaign, delivering exclusive and high-impact stories from the ground.In 2020,
Awad’s two-part documentary Jerusalem: A Rock and a Hard Place received the Bronze Medal at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. His digital documentary Sons of Jerusalem also earned a Telly Award and finalist recognition. His work has been screened at cinemas, universities, cultural centers, and community forums around the world and continues to resonate with wide, global audiences.
Awad has extensive experience reporting in hostile environments and has received formal training in conflict-zone journalism and media ethics from the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights. He continues to consult on media strategy and documentary production across the Arab world and beyond.
Awad is passionate about mentoring media students, local journalists, and freelancers.
He co-edited the book Journalism in times of War, which focuses on the unsung heroes of local journalism. Awad also writes and publishes news and feature articles.
As a certified media trainer with experience in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Awad assisted several TV networks by re-organizing their newsrooms and planning departments, bringing them in tune with international media standards.
He consulted several TV stations in Asia and Africa to help them develop and train their staff to produce the best content under tight deadlines and limited resources.
Awards
Represented the brand at events, promoted brand awareness, and engaged with customers to drive brand loyalty.
Films
Producer and Director
Animation: The story of Dr Meir Margalit
Producer and Director
Producer and Director
Jerusalem: A Rock and a Hard Place (Part 1)
Jerusalem: A Rock and a Hard Place (Part 2)
Producer and Director
Outsourcing Torture: How Three Danish Men Face Lebanese Torturers
Producer and Director
English ‘Till I die: The Changing face of Britain (English)
Producer and Director
English ‘Till I die: The Changing face of Britain (Arabic)
Producer and Director
Denmark's Gang War
Producer and Director
Denmark’s Gang War (Arabic)
Producer and Director
Witness - Journey Home - Part 1
Producer and Director
Witness - Journey Home - Part 2
Journey Home (Arabic)
Denmark's Strict Immigration Regulations (Reporter)
Gang Wars Rage in Denmark
Inside Ajdabiya
A long journey home Part 1
Witness - Journey Home Part 2
A long journey home Part 3
In my view
Gang-related violence mars streets
Awad’s Articles
Animation: “Shooting Jerusalem: A glimpse Into Life in a Segregated City”
Filmmaker reflects on the making of his documentary and his bid to find out what it means to live in and identify with the city of Jerusalem.
“Sons of Jerusalem”
What is it like to live in a divided city? “Sons of Jerusalem” is the story of a father and son living in the Old City.
by Awad Joumaa - 15 May 2019
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/sons-jerusalem-190515143409343.html
“Journalism in Times of War: A Middle East Perspective”
Last year was one of the deadliest for journalists. Will 2018 be any better? Al Jazeera's Media Institute launches a book to help reduce violence against journalists in the region.
by Awad Joumaa - 24 Jan 2018
“A New Era for Denmark as Left Takes Power”
A loss for the right in the Danish parliamentary election has turned the country in a different political direction.
by Awad Joumaa - 4 Oct 2011
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/2011102103733302405.html
“Danish Party Urges Arab TV Ban”
People's Party says Al Jazeera and other Arabic channels sow hatred against Western society in immigrant communities.
by Awad Joumaa - 2 Nov 2010
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2010/11/2010111134217747559.html
“Interview: Palestine's Storyteller”
Naji al-Ali became the voice of dispossessed Palestinians before he was assassinated.
by Awad Joumaa - 6 Sept 2009
https://www.aljazeera.com/focus/2009/09/200995162530794470.html
“Copenhagen's 'racial' Gang Wars”
Al Jazeera examines how ethnic tensions may be fuelling crime in Denmark.
“Denmark's Forgotten Asylum Seekers”
Those seeking refugee status find themselves stranded in an immigration no-man's land.
by Awad Joumaa - 16 Mar 2009
https://www.aljazeera.com/focus/2009/03/20093111200253161.html
“A Journey Home”
From Denmark to Palestine—one man's journey to the home he has never known.
by Awad Joumaa - 13 Jul 2009
https://www.aljazeera.com/focus/60yearsofdivision/2008/05/2008615053715551.html
Testimonials
A selection of testimonials about Awad’s work, including his edited book, journalism career, research, and media training.
Journalism in Times of War is of absolute value; communicating concrete experiences of local media professionals in the Arab world, this unique, up-to-date, well-balanced, and informative guidebook has offered me essential perspectives and tips on best dealing with creating responsible and important journalism in a context where the challenges are countless but the need for coverage and documentation is increasingly crucial.
Masih Sadat, Editor-in-Chief at Turban Times