Mortada Gzar is an award-winning Iraqi novelist, filmmaker, journalist, and visual artist renowned for his memoir "I'm in Seattle, Where Are You?" and contributions to contemporary Arabic literature. His diverse body of work includes four novels, a short-story collection, and a children's book, with translations appearing in publications such as "Words Without Borders" and the speculative fiction anthology "Iraq + 100." Gzar's animated films have been showcased at international festivals, and his film "Language" received recognition from the Doha Film Institute.
Born in Kuwait in 1982 and raised in Basra, Iraq, Gzar holds a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Baghdad before pursuing writing through the University of Iowa's International Writing Program. His multifaceted career spans political cartooning for Arabic newspapers, book illustration, and founding the Seattle Arab Film Festival. Now based in Seattle, Gzar continues to bridge cultural narratives through his interdisciplinary approach to storytelling, blending literary craftsmanship with visual artistry.