Hany Abu-Assad was born on October 11, 1961 in Nazareth, Israel. He is an Israeli-born Palestinian film director. He has received two Academy Award nominations: in 2006 for his film Paradise Now, and again in 2013, at the 86th Awards for his film Omar. He is a director and writer, known for Paradise Now (2005), Omar (2013) and Rana's Wedding (2002).