Sid Ahmed Semiane

Ahmed Semiane was born in Algiers in 1971. He began writing at the age of 17, initially working as a columnist.

His first book, Octobre, ils parlent (October, They Speak), was published in 1998. It examines the tragedy surrounding the October 1988 riots in Algeria, during which hundreds of people died and thousands were arrested, with many reportedly subjected to torture.

He has since published several other books, including Dans le refuge des balles perdues (In the Shelter of Stray Bullets), published by La Découverte; Mes nuits dans mon rétroviseur (My Nights in My Rearview Mirror), a collection of short stories published by Barzakh; and La nuit tous les morts sont gris (At Night, All the Dead Are Gray), published by SAEC.

Semiane is also a photographer and filmmaker. His filmography includes Sortie d’usine (2005), Babylon Constantina (2015) and Terminus 60 (2024).