Lawrence Valin

Lawrence Valin is a French director, actor, and screenwriter of Tamil origin from Sri Lanka. He grew up in Paris and began his artistic career as an actor before turning to directing. After completing his acting training, he appeared in several film and television roles while also developing his own screenplays and directing projects. He first attracted international attention with the short film The Loyal Man (2018). This later led to his feature film debut, Little Jaffna (2024), which he directed, co-wrote and starred in. The film combines thriller elements with a socially conscious drama and reflects Valin's own experiences as the child of Tamil immigrants in France. His work is characterized by authenticity, a close connection to his origins, and a clear signature style that blends genre cinema with personal storytelling. Active as both an actor and director, Valin is considered an emerging voice in French cinema who brings visibility and complexity to the realities of migrant life.