Helana Sawires Explained

Helana Sawires is an Australian actress best known for portraying the lead role of Dianne, a medical student, in the first Australian Muslim romantic comedy film, Ali's Wedding (2017).^{[1] [2]} She also appeared in 2016 short film Banana Boy, directed by Steven Woodburn.^[3]

She lives in Marrickville where she grew up in a large Egyptian family with five siblings.^[4] She went to Sydney's Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. She is also a drummer and Egyptian tabla player.

Her role as Dianne in Ali's Wedding brought her a nomination for Best Actress at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards.^[5]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2016	Banana Boy	Mother
2017	Ali's Wedding	Dianne

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	Stateless	Rosna	Miniseries; 6 episodes
2021	Clickbait	Sasha	Miniseries; 8 episodes
2021	Fires	Nawra	Miniseries; 6 episodes

Notes and References

1. Web site: Australia's first Muslim rom-com movie, Ali's Wedding, hopes to disarm haters as it hits big screen. 2016-10-31. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2018-06-18.
2. News: Ali’s Wedding: Australia’s first Muslim romantic comedy goes global on Netflix. The National. 2018-06-18. en.
3. News: BANANA BOY by Steven Woodburn. Pozible. 2018-06-18.
4. Web site: Screen NSW. screen.nsw.gov.au. en-AU. 2018-06-18.
5. Web site: Helana Sawires goes from drummer to best actress nominee at AACTA Awards. Maddox. Garry. 2017-10-29. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2018-06-18.