Samer Al Barkawi, a prominent Syrian director born in Damascus on September 5, 1973, has established himself as a leading figure in Arab television drama. Despite earning a degree in Business Management from the University of Damascus in 1994, his passion for art led him to the world of filmmaking. He began his career in the mid-1990s, working his way up as an assistant director and production manager alongside acclaimed Syrian directors like Hatem Ali and Haitham Hakki. His directorial debut was the 2006 series "Al-Wazir wa Sa'adat Haramo" (The Minister and His Excellency's Wife), which showcased his emerging talent. Al Barkawi is widely recognized for his fruitful collaborations with Cedars Art Production (Sabbah Brothers) and actor Taim Hassan. This partnership produced some of the most successful series in modern Arab drama, most notably the five-season phenomenon "Al Hayba" (2017-2021), which became a massive cultural hit. His other significant works include "Loabat El Mawt" (Game of Death, 2013), "Law" (2014), "Chello" (2015), "Nos Youm" (Half a Day, 2016), and the ambitious historical drama "Taj" (2024), which was praised for its high production value and artistic quality.

Samer Al Barkawi directed the exceptionally successful series "Al Hayba," which captivated audiences across the Arab world for five consecutive seasons from 2017 to 2021 and culminated in a feature film. The series won multiple awards, including a Murex d'Or for Best Arab Series, and Al Barkawi himself received a Murex d'Or of appreciation for his direction in 2018. In 2024, he directed "Taj," a large-scale historical production set in 1940s Damascus. The series received widespread critical and popular acclaim for its massive production scale and meticulous depiction of the historical period, being hailed as a significant milestone in Syrian historical drama. Early in his career, Al Barkawi won the prestigious Adonia Award for Syrian drama as Best Director in 2010 for his series "Baed Al Sokoot" (After the Fall). This early recognition highlighted his distinct directorial abilities and unique artistic vision.

Samer Al Barkawi obtained a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Damascus in 1994.