She grew up in Tunis and, in 2003, she went to Paris to study French literature at the Sorbonne, and then joined La Fémis’ Directing department. After several award winning short films, Leyla directed in 2015 her first feature film, As I Open My Eyes. The film was presented at the 72nd Venice Film Festival, before winning more than forty international awards and achieving success during its simultaneous theatrical release in France and Tunisia. A Tale of Love and Desire is her second feature film.

Filmography

Una historia de amor y deseo (2021, D'A 2022), À peine j'ouvre les yeux (2015), Zakaria (short, 2013), Gamine (short, 2013), Mkhobbi Fi Kobba (short, 2012), Un ange passe (short, 2010)