Osamah Sami

Osamah Sami
أسامة سامي
Born
Qom, Iran
EducationKanoon Pavaresh Fekri
The Australian Film and Television Academy
OccupationsActor, writer, comedian
Notable workGood Muslim Boy (book)
Ali's Wedding (film)
AwardsAACTA Award
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award
Australian Muslim Achievement Award
Sydney Indie Film Festival Award
NSW Premier's Literary Award.
Australian Writers' Guild Award
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Award

Osamah Sami is an Australian stage and screen actor, writer, and stand-up comedian, born in Iran of Iraqi origin. He is known for his award-winning book Good Muslim Boy, and for his role as the titular character in 2017 film Ali's Wedding.

Early life and education

Osamah Sami was born in Qom, Iran. His father, Dr Jaafar al-Bakiry, a Shiite cleric from Iraq, had been a political prisoner under Saddam Hussein and met his Kurdish wife, Sami's mother, in an Iranian refugee camp.[1][2][3] His father had evaded execution for protesting against Hussein, by escaping prison and swimming over the border to Iran.[3]

Sami was cast in several roles on stage in his hometown as a child.[1][2] Then as a teenager, he studied Arts at Kanoon Pavaresh Fekri, Iran's leading arts development institute, before appearing in two Iranian feature films.[4][5]

When Sami was twelve, the family then emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1995,[6] settling in the suburb of Fawkner. Sami was the oldest of seven children.[3]

Sami's father had hoped his son would become a doctor, but his grades didn't get him into medicine. So he pretended to get a perfect score in year 12 and lied about winning a place in medicine at the University of Melbourne. He attended classes for a year, without being detected by his parents or the school. His father eventually took him on a pilgrimage back to Iran to try and straighten him out.[7][8]

While 'attending' university, Sami also met and fell in love with a legitimate medical student, which also proved problematic, as his family was in the process of organising his arranged marriage.[8] Sami held several jobs including working as a waiter, forklift driver and librarian but ultimately decided acting was the only thing he wanted to do.[3] He went on to further his earlier acting studies at The Australian Film and Television Academy (TAFTA).[5]

Career

After immigrating to Australia, Sami began working with a local theatre group and starred in their productions. His father wrote a musical-comedy called Trial of Saddam, in which Sami played the role of Saddam Hussein. After proving a hit amongst the Iraqi community in Australia, it was subsequently due to play sold-out shows in Detroit in the US in 2005. But, as this was shortly after the London and Madrid train bombings, the theatre group was prevented from entering the United States to perform the play.[1][2][9][6]

In addition to theatre, Sami also went on to work in film and television. In 2007, he had a regular role as Sharif Doumani in 13-part SBS romantic drama series Kick,[10] and in the late 2000's he made guest appearances in largely typecast roles in series including City Homicide, Rush, Sea Patrol and East West 101 before landing his breakthrough role[3] opposite Claudia Karvan in the telemovie Saved, directed by Tony Ayres.[11]

Sami co-created the 2015 comedy web series, Two Refugees and a Blonde, together with Shahin Shafaei and Rain Fuller. He also played one of the three lead roles. Sami stated: "This series aims to remove the sombre stigma synonymous with refugees and to replace it with a dose of laughter...". It launched during Refugee Week in Melbourne and was screened at Amnesty Refugee Network’s Festival of Hope on World Refugee Day, while premiering online via YouTube.[12]

Sami's critically acclaimed memoir Good Muslim Boy was published by Hardie Grant in 2015.[13] In 2016, it became the winner of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award,[14] and was commended at the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards.[15] He also adapted his book for the stage, with productions by Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre and Queensland Theatre.[5][16]

Sami was nominated for a 2016 Green Room Award for Best Male Performer in a Lead Role for a Melbourne Theatre Company production of I Call My Brothers.[17][5] He also played the lead role of American-born Palestinian doctor, Rami, in a production of Tales of a City by the Sea in Sydney and Melbourne.[18][16]

Sami co-wrote and starred as the titular character in 2016 feature romantic comedy film Ali's Wedding,[5] which was also based on his memoir.[9] The film was acquired by Netflix. His work earned him a 2017 Australian Academy Award (AACTA Award) for Best Original Screenplay as well as a nomination for Best Lead Actor. It was also nominated for Best Film.[19] This was mirrored at the 2017 Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, where it won Best Film, and earned Sami a win for Best Screenplay and a nomination for Best Male Lead.[20] His script also received a 2016 Australian Writers' Guild Award in the Best Original Feature Film category.[21] Further wins included Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival[22] and The Age Critics Prize at Melbourne International Film Festival.[23] The film was also awarded the $100,000 CinefestOz film prize in 2017.[24]

Sami appeared in the 2020 historical drama film The Furnace, opposite David Wenham. The film premiered at the 2020 Venice Film Festival drawing positive international reviews.[25] In 2022, he played the role of Salim Bayati in six-part mystery drama miniseries Savage River, alongside Katherine Langford, Jacqueline McKenzie and Nadine Garner.[26]

Sami next starred opposite Zar Amir Ebrahimi in the Shayda. The film was the winner of the Audience Award for Best Film after premiering as the 2023 opening night film at Sundance. It was also selected as the opening night film at Melbourne International Film Festival, and went on to win the 2023 CinefestOz $100,000 film prize.[27] That same year, Sami was a co-writer on psychological thriller series The Clearing, which featured an all-star cast including Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, Guy Pearce, Xavier Samuel, Claudia Karvan and Gary Sweet.[28] Also in 2023, Sami co-wrote and starred in drama film Tennessine, which screened at both CinefestOZ and the Sydney Film Festival.[29]

Sami then co-created, co-wrote and appeared in the 2024 television drama miniseries called House of Gods, which aired on ABC TV[30][31] and ABC iview from 25 February 2024.[32] The drama centres around an imam and his family as well as the Australian Arab / Iraqi community he leads, with Sami using his own real-life experiences to tell the story of the community of which he is a part.[30]

Sami is also a stand-up comedian, and writes a poetry blog, with themes ranging from love and family to social justice and war.

Personal life

Sami is father to two daughters.[9] He speaks Arabic, Farsi and English.[6]

Sami's father died at the age of 50, while the pair were on holidays overseas in Tehran.[8]

Awards and nominations

Year Work Award Category Result Ref.
2016Good Muslim BoyNew South Wales Premier's Literary AwardNon-Fiction WritingWon[14]
Victorian Premier's Literary AwardNon-Fiction WritingHighly Commended[15]
I Call My BrothersGreen Room AwardBest Male Actor (Theatre Companies)Nominated[17]
Two Refugees and a BlondeLA WebfestOutstanding Comedy SeriesNominated
Outstanding Ensemble CastNominated
Ali's WeddingAustralian Writers' Guild AwardBest Original Feature FilmWon[21]
2017AACTA AwardBest Lead Actor in a Feature FilmNominated[19]
Best Original ScreenplayWon[19]
Film Critics Circle of Australia AwardBest ScreenplayWon[20]
Best Male LeadNominated[20]
Osamah SamiAustralian Muslim Achievement AwardCreative Artist of the YearWon[33]
Two Refugees and a BlondeLos Angeles Independent Film Festival AwardBest Web SeriesWon
FlowSydney Indie Film FestivalBest ActorWon[34]
2018Ali's WeddingAustralian Film Critics AssociationBest ScreenplayNominated[35]
Best ActorNominated[35]
2019ShelteredAACTA AwardBest Social ShortRunner-up[36]
2024ShaydaBest Lead Actor in a Feature FilmNominated[37][38]
2025Osamah SamiAustralian Muslim Achievement AwardCreative Artist of the YearNominated[39]

Acting credits

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1993Chakmeh (aka The Boot)Town boy[40]
Abadani-Ha (aka The Abadanis)Bacheh Abadani
1997Mojezeye khandeh (aka The Miracle of Smile)Hamid
2007Lucky MilesFiark[41][42]
Shotgun! [an Opening Sequence]HaniShort film
2008296 Smith StreetAnthonyShort film[43][44]
2009HousematesAashiqShort film
2011The OrchardHadiShort film[45]
201210 TerroristsAzim[46]
2013PureFadyShort film
2014Canberra Says NoAbbas SalimShort film
2015Too LateJoe LateShort film
2016Journey
2017Ali's WeddingAli[5][47]
FlowStephenShort film
2020The FurnaceMajid[25]
2023ShaydaHossein[27]
TennessineArash[29]
TBACurlsEddyIn production
TBALife's DiscourseJamesShort film
Pre-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007KickSharif DoumaniMiniseries, 13 episodes[10]
2007; 2011City HomicideHanif Durrani / Kasim Al-Basri2 episodes
2008Canal RoadMichael YoungMiniseries, 1 episode
2009SavedAmir AliTV movie[11]
East West 101Latif Kazi2 episodes
2010RushHazrat1 episode
2011Sea PatrolSalim Shokor1 episode
2015Two Refugees and a BlondeSamiWeb miniseries, 10 episodes[12]
2016Jack IrishHadji Adhib2 episodes
JourneyNadimTV movie
2020AussieWoodSami Sami
2022Savage RiverSalim BayatiMiniseries, 6 episodes[26]
2024House of GodsIsa6 episodes[30][31]
TBASeparated at BirthAsad6 episodes
In production

Stage

Year Title Role Venue / Co. Ref.
2006Trial of SaddamSaddam HusseinBankstown Theatre, Sydney[1][2][9][3]
2007Homebody / KabulTaliban officialTrades Hall, Melbourne with Theatre@Risk[16][48]
SinnersVarious characters / SheepCarlton Courthouse, Melbourne with La Mama[16][49]
2009Baghdad WeddingBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney with Company B[16]
2010The Long Day's DyingCarlton Courthouse, Melbourne with La Mama[16]
2012Origin-Transit-DestinationCasula Powerhouse, Sydney with Australian Performance Exchange[16]
2013The Two ExecutionersMauriceLa Mama, Melbourne[50]
2014; 2016Tales of a City by the SeaRamiLa Mama, Melbourne, Bakehouse Theatre, Adelaide[18]
2015I Call My BrothersAmorVIC/TAS tour with MTC[18][6]
2017The Sound of WaitingHamed MokriBrown's Mart Theatre, Darwin with Knock 'em Down Theatre[18]
2018Good Muslim BoyOsamahMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne / Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane with QTC[18]
2019–2020AnthemMalikAustralian tour with Performing Lines[18][51]
2021ThemOmarArts Centre Melbourne (show cancelled)[52][53]

Writing credits

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2009HousematesStoryline consultantShort film
201210 TerroristsContributing writerFeature film
2014Canberra Says NoStory/writer / Associate producerShort film
2015Too LateWriterShort film
Two Refugees and a BlondeConcept / creatorWeb miniseries, 10 episodes[12]
2016Ali's WeddingWriter / Associate producerFeature film[5][47]
2017ShelteredCo-writer / Script editorShort film[36]
2018Good Muslim BoyWriter / AdaptorStage[5][16]
2023The ClearingCo-writerTV series[28]
TennessineWriterFeature film[29]
2024House of GodsCo-writerMiniseries[30][31]
TBAWhen the Birds Aren't Free to Be BuriedWriter / DirectorAnimation (in development)

Books

  • Sami, Osamah (2015). Good Muslim Boy. Hardie Grant Books. ISBN 978-1-74358-321-0.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Molitorisz, Sacha (8 February 2009). "You're called what?". The Sun-Herald. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Webb, Carolyn (4 April 2009). "Actor Sami aims to turn heads for all the right reasons from now on". The Age.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Webb, Carolyn (4 April 2009). "Actor Sami to turns heads for right reasons". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Osamah Sami". Hardie Grant. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Osamah Sami". tafta.com.au. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "From the Reading Room: Interview with Osamah Sami". Melbourne Theatre Company. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  7. ↑ Kanowski, Sarah (12 July 2018). "Program: Osamah Sami – not always the good Muslim boy". tafta.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Osamah Sami on reliving his life on stage: 'I was bawling my eyes out'". The Guardian. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Osamah Sami". wheelercentre.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  10. 1 2 "Kick – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. 11 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 Neill, Rosemary (28 March 2009). "First Impressions: Claudia Karvan". The Australian.
  12. 1 2 3 "Australian comedy series Two Refugees and a Blonde to launch at Refugee Week". cinemaaustralia.com.au. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Good Muslim Boy". Hardie Grant Books. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  14. 1 2 Dinham, Abby (22 May 2016). ""Good Muslim Boy" wins NSW literary award". SBS. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Winners of the 2016 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards". The Wheeler Centre. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Osamah Sami". AusStage. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Green Room Awards Nominations for Work Presented in 2015" (PDF). Green Room Awards. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "In Daily Review: Fine theatre well worth watching!". talesofacitybythesea.com. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 "Winners & Nominees 2017". www.aacta.org. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 "2017 Awards". Film Critics Circle of Australia. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  21. 1 2 "Full List of Winners for the 49th Annual AWGIE Awards" (PDF). Australian Writers' Guild. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  22. ↑ "Sydney Film Festival – Foxtel Movies Audience Award". Sydney Film Festival. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  23. ↑ Quinn, Karl (14 August 2017). "MIFF 2017: Ali's Wedding wins The Age Critics Award". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  24. ↑ "Ali's Wedding wins CinefestOz". Community News. 28 August 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  25. 1 2 "The Furnace". www.aussiemuslims.net. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Savage River". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  27. 1 2 "Blanchett-backed film wins $100k prize at CinefestOZ". The West Australian. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  28. 1 2 "The Clearing 2023". Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  29. 1 2 3 "Tennessine 2024". Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Knox, David (29 November 2022). "House of Gods, a tale of faith, family, secrets & lies". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  31. 1 2 3 "House of Gods 2023". Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "ABC drama House of Gods premieres Sunday 25 February". ABC Help. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  33. ↑ Ahmad, Mobinah (22 December 2017). "Osamah Sami takes centre stage at Muslim Achievement Awards". www.amust.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  34. ↑ Ahmad, Mobinah. "Top Of The Town". filmfreeway.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  35. 1 2 "11th Auscritic Awards – 2018". Australian Film Critics Association. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  36. 1 2 "Sheltered". aminpalangi.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  37. ↑ "Blown away by the AACTA nominations for the film Shayda!". gabrielledubois.net. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  38. ↑ "The New Boy and The Newsreader lead AACTA 2024 award nominations". abc.net.au. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  39. ↑ "Welcome to the 17th Annual Australian Muslim Achievement Awards". muslimawards.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  40. ↑ "The Boot – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  41. ↑ "Lucky Miles (2007)". shotonwhat.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "Lucky Miles – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  43. ↑ "296 Smith Street 2007". Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  44. ↑ "296 Smith Street – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  45. ↑ "The Orchard". sofibasseghi.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  46. ↑ "10 Terrorists! 2011". Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  47. 1 2 "Ali's Wedding – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  48. ↑ Croggon, Alison (26 February 2007). "Review: The Spook, Homebody/Kabul". Theatre Notes. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  49. ↑ MacMillan, Lola (15 March 2007). "Melbourne Reviews: Sinners – La Mama". australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  50. ↑ My, Myron (15 August 2013). "Review: Fernando Arrabal's The Two Executioners". theatre-press.com. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  51. ↑ Zampatti, David (13 February 2020). "Irrational Anthem". seesawmag.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  52. ↑ "Them" (PDF). bunjilplace.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  53. ↑ "Them". artscentremelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.