At dawn on January 20, 2025, the eyes of the world were focused on Washington for the presidential inauguration. Behind this high-profile media spectacle was an Algerian at the helm: Mohamed Salah Benamar, originally from Sougueur in the Tiaret province.
With a background in media and communication from the University of Algiers, Benamar understood early on that his destiny lay beyond national borders. In 2011, he took the plunge into the American endeavour, driven by a thirst for excellence and discovery. His integration into the American audiovisual world was meteoric. Climbing the ranks with determination, he not only managed to establish himself but also founded his own production company. His growing reputation quickly led him to become the broadcast director in Washington.
The inauguration ceremony of the 47th president of the United States represented the crowning achievement of his career. With surgical precision, Benamar orchestrated every technical detail, from the setup of filming equipment to the final editing. His expertise allowed him to manage the presence of numerous personalities: former presidents, international ambassadors, the presidential family, and carefully selected guests.
A Bridge Between Two Nations
After overseeing one of the most-watched presidential ceremonies in the world, he continues to carve his path, building cultural and media bridges between Algeria and the United States. Benamar has remained deeply attached to his roots. In 2022, he founded the Algerian-American Association in Washington, an organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges and supporting the Algerian diaspora. His wish, according to one of his close friends, is to introduce Hollywood to Algeria. A wish that would contribute to Algeria’s efforts to revive Algerian cinema. « The film industry in Algeria will develop and draw its radiance from the foundations of the country of resistance, » declared President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in his speech at the opening of the National Conference on Cinema at the Abdelatif-Rahal International Conference Center (CIC, Algiers). « Algeria has embarked on a pioneering development dynamic, and it is time for culture to be its crowning achievement, » he emphasized.
Every year, on July 5, the association celebrates Algerian independence on American soil. The 2024 edition, held in Alexandria, Virginia, was a perfect example. Under his presidency, the event brought together diplomats, public figures, and the Algerian community, creating a cultural bridge between Algeria and the United States.
His journey illustrates the dynamism of the Algerian diaspora. Benamar is part of a lineage of Algerian talents shining internationally, such as Fouad Bousetouane in artificial intelligence, Belgacem Haba with his 1,600 patents, Baaziz Achour from Qualcomm, and Noureddine Melikechi at NASA.
The Algerian ambassador to the United States, Sabri Boukadoum, highlighted the importance of such journeys: they are informal ambassadors, carrying the image and values of Algeria around the world.
For Mohamed Salah Benamar, every achievement is an opportunity to showcase his country. Whether through his audiovisual productions or his associative engagement, he embodies this new generation of Algerian talents: globally connected yet deeply rooted. Azzedine Belferag – Translatade by Melissa Roumadi
+ There are no comments
Add yours