About the Author
Originally from Marseille, Maëva Leïla Youbi began her career as an actress before deciding to write her own stories. In 2021, she joined the Kourtrajmé school in Montfermeil to study screenwriting. Upon graduating the same year, she directed her first short film, La Baie des Singes, which received highly positive feedback and won both the Audience First Prize and the Jury Second Prize on ARTE. in 2023, she directed her second short film, L’Oncle, produced by Les Films VELVET and LYLY Films. The film enjoyed a successful festival run and was selected for the 2025 Unifrance Short Film Award.
Developed Projects
In the late 1990s, in southern France, Esma does everything she can to preserve the carefree childhood of her children, Raphaëlle and Hafsia, while her husband, Ali, who runs a network of slot machines around the Étang de Berre, spirals into violence. But the balance she maintains is fragile.
From Script to Screen
