Husein Alićajić is an award-winning Australian filmmaker, writer and commercial director celebrated for his evocative visual storytelling. Born in Sydney to Bosnian and Scottish parents, he is now based in Los Angeles, creating work across film, TV, commercials, and immersive installations -- each project unified by a fascination with identity, control, and transformation.
His short film Beginnings won the Dendy Award at the Sydney Film Festival and received AACTA and IF nominations. His screenplay Divine Shadows won the IF Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay. As a commercial director, Husein’s work has been recognized at Cannes Lions, New York Festivals, Clio, and Ciclope, and he was honored three consecutive years by the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG).
A finalist in the AICP Directors Diversity Program, Husein most recently won Best Direction in an Online Drama Series at the ADG Awards for the pilot of his series One Sided. He is currently developing multiple narrative and documentary projects, including the psychological thriller Sweet Sixteen, the series The Blind Spot, and the large-scale installation YAWN, an immersive, multi-channel art film exploring human connection through the contagious nature of a yawn. Shot on the ARRI Alexa 65, YAWN is designed for both gallery and theatrical presentation.
Awards
Australian Directors Guild, Best Direction in an Online Drama Series winner
AICP Commercial Director’s Diversity Program, Finalist
Australian Directors Guild, Best Director TVC nomination
Australian Directors Guild, Best Director TVC nomination
New York Festivals, Finalist
AWARD Silver,
Ciclope Award, Silver
Cannes Lions, Film Craft Shortlist
Clio Awards, Film Technique Shortlist
Australian Directors Guild, Best Director TVC, Highly Commended
Spikes Asia, Music Spike Gold, Film Spike Bronze
Kinsale Shark Gold
Best Direction, New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards
Sydney Film Festival DENDY Award for Best Short Film
Best In Show, PROMAX/BDA
Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam
IF Award winner, Best Unproduced Screenplay
SPAA SHOWTIME Talent Assist winner
IF Award nominee, Independent Spirit Award