Bassam Al Thawadi is a Bahraini Filmmaker, Director and Producer who has played an important role in the development of cinema in Bahrain and the Gulf. After studying film direction and production in Cairo, he returned to Bahrain and built a long career in television and filmmaking. He directed and produced The Barrier in 1990, widely regarded as Bahrain’s first feature film, followed by Visitor and A Bahraini Tale. Alongside his films, Bassam has supported the local arts scene through festivals, training, cultural programmes and his involvement in regional cinema organisations.