Mehdi Benallal is a graduate of La Fémis film school, specializing in directing.

He worked as an assistant director to Jacques Rivette on Who Knows?, and subsequently to Jean-Marie Straub on The Witches, Women among Themselves.

He has directed several short films, including Bois d'Arcy, an acclaimed documentary exploring the everyday racism he experienced during his childhood, and Madame Baurès.

Alongside his filmmaking, Mehdi Benallal writes regularly for Le Monde diplomatique, and has worked as a producer with Triptyque Films.

Operation tramway is his debut feature film.