Lola Bessis

Lola Bessis is a French actress, screenwriter, and director. She appeared in front of the camera as a child and developed a passion for acting and film at an early age. In her mid-twenties, she made her international breakthrough with Swim Little Fish Swim (2013), which she co-directed with Ruben Amar and in which she also played the lead role. The film was screened at over a hundred festivals worldwide and won several awards, establishing Bessis as an emerging voice in independent cinema. As an actress, she has appeared in a number of French and international productions, including Monsieur et Madame Adelman (2017), Thirst Street (2017), the series Picnic at Hanging Rock (2018) and Une Sirène à Paris (2020). Her roles are characterized by naturalness and presence, and critics have praised her ability to embody complex characters with both lightness and inner depth. In addition to her acting work, Bessis is also involved in screenwriting and directing. With Swim Little Fish Swim (2013) and later Silver Star (2024) – both co-directed with Ruben Amar – she demonstrated her flair for visual storytelling and subtle characterization. She has also served as a juror at festivals such as the Deauville American Film Festival and has been repeatedly highlighted in magazines as one of the most promising talents in French cinema. Bessis' work is characterized by versatility: she combines acting, writing, and directing to create a unique artistic profile that blends intimate stories, cultural intersections, and a strong visual sensibility.