Bassam Kousa

Bassam Kousa is an acclaimed Syrian actor, director, and writer celebrated as one of the Arab world’s most respected figures in film, television, and theatre. Over a distinguished career spanning decades, he has starred in more than a dozen feature films and countless television and radio productions, earning multiple acting awards at festivals in Paris, Cairo, Bahrain, Beirut, and Damascus.

A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University, Kousa began his career performing on amateur and national theatre stages before becoming a leading voice in Syrian drama. He has also written and directed two feature films, A Polite Evening and Dowalek, and published a short story collection (A Stolen Text) and a novel (Much More). His contributions extend beyond performance into education and cultural leadership. He has served on the juries of major film festivals including Rotterdam, Alexandria, Oran, Tetouan, and Cairo, and has taught and supervised graduating classes at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus.

At BRIDGE Summit, Bassam Kousa will share his journey with the evolution of Arab storytelling and how film and theatre continue to inspire connection across borders.