Yves Sehnaoui

Yves est né le 17 Sept. 1976 à Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, de parents libainais. Il a les nationalités libanaise et française.

En 2000, et après 3 ans d’études en direction de la photographie en Belgium, il sort diplômé de l’IAD (Institut des Arts de Diffusion), un des plus meilleurs écoles de cinéma d’Europe.

Caramel (Nadine Labaki, 2007) est son premier long métrage comme directeur de la photographie, après avoir été 1er assistant caméra sur plusieurs films ou publicités.

En Octobre 2009, il a décidé de joindre ses forces avec 3 des plus grands et expérimentés réalisateurs libanais (André Chammas, Wissam Smayra, & Chadi Younes) ainsi que le très reconnu producteur Ray Barakat. Ensemble, ils décidèrent de créer CLANDESTINO FILMS, la première maison de production de la région qui a permis de faire éclore plusieurs talents sous un seul toit.

Yves was born on the 17th Sep. 1976 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, from Lebanese parents. He detains both Lebanese & French nationalities.

In 2000, and after 3 years of cinematography studies in Belgium, he graduated from the IAD (Institut des Arts de Diffusion), one of the finest European film schools.

He started working as a 1st camera assistant after coming back to Lebanon where he currently lives. His first 3 years as a focus puller where very enriching, since he got the chance to assist some great cinematographers and directors from different origins, backgrounds, in more than 20 countries shooting features, tvc’s, music videos, and more.

Yves’ career as a cinematographer slowly started in 2003, and then quickly expanded in 2004 thanks to many Lebanese production houses and film directors who gave him the chance to shoot more & more of their projects, tv commercials, short films, music videos, or documentaries.

2006 was a turning point in his career since he was trusted to shoot CARAMEL, written & directed by Nadine Labaki, a feature film that has rapidly grown to become the most successful Lebanese feature film, distributed in more than 65 countries, and winning many awards through various international film festivals. Caramel was selected at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival in « the director’s fortnight » (La Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) category.

Caramel was also his first feature film as a director of photography.

Since then, he has continued his work as a freelance cinematographer, gaining more and more experience in this ever evolving field. In October 2009, he has decided to join forces with 3 of the most experienced Lebanese film directors (André Chammas, Wissam Smayra, & Chadi Younes) along with highly appreciated executive producer Ray Barakat. Together, they decided to challenge themselves & boost their career in creating CLANDESTINO FILMS, the first production house in the region that has merged many talents under one roof. CLANDESTINO FILMS is all about friendship & teamwork. Brainstorming, exchanging ideas and references, co-directing, helping each other in critical and stressful moments are the key elements to their unique approach and to their growing success whatever the project is.