Waad Al-Kateab (Arabic: وعد الخطيب;[2] born c. 1991) is the pseudonym of a Syrian journalist, filmmaker, and activist.

[9] In 2011, when the Syrian Civil War broke out, she started her journey as a citizen journalist and her reports on the war were broadcast on Channel 4 News in the United Kingdom, which became the most watched program of the UK News Channels[10] She elected to stay and document her life over five years in Aleppo as she falls in love with Hamza – her friend-turned-husband, a doctor – and gives birth to their first daughter, Sama ("Sky") in 2015, which became the basis of For Sama.

For Sama, directed with Edward Watts, won the Prix L'Œil d'or for best documentary at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival,[11] receiving a six-minute standing ovation.

[15] Two women from Syria made the list - the other was the plant virologist Safaa Kumani.

[16] After fleeing Aleppo in December 2016, Al-Kateab, her husband, and their two daughters reside in the United Kingdom.