Mai Skaf

a Syrian actress born in Damascus. She studied French literature at Damascus University, where she developed her passion for acting through theatrical productions at the French Cultural Center. Her performances caught the attention of filmmaker Maher Kaddo, who cast her in his 1991 film Saheel Al-Jihat. Her success in the role led to another film opportunity with director Abdellatif Abdelhamid in Sou'oud Al-Matar. Skaf made her television debut in Nabil Al-Maleh's series Asrar Al-Shasha and gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Tima in the historical drama Al-Ababid. She went on to build a diverse career in Syrian television and cinema, appearing in productions such as Al-Bawasil, Beit Al-Eila, and Lesh Al-Haki. Known for her versatility, she took on a wide range of characters throughout her career. In 2004, she founded the Teatro Institute for Performing Arts in Damascus, helping young performers develop their acting skills. She later settled in France and returned to filmmaking in 2017 with the short film Sarab, which was shot in Paris. Skaf died of a heart attack in Paris on July 23, 2018, at the age of 49.