Josef Fares Wiki, Bio, Networth, GF, Wife, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Josef Fares

Josef Fares is a critically acclaimed Swedish-Lebanese film director and video game designer, celebrated for his innovative and emotionally resonant cooperative gameplay experiences. He first gained recognition in the film industry with successful movies like “Jalla! Jalla!” and “Kopps,” which often blended comedy with poignant social commentary. Fares transitioned to the video game industry with the award-winning “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” in 2013, a game that showcased his unique storytelling ability through interactive mechanics. He is the founder of Hazelight Studios, a development company that has produced groundbreaking co-op adventures such as “A Way Out” and the widely celebrated “It Takes Two,” which won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Fares is known for his passionate and unfiltered personality, making him a distinct and influential voice in the gaming world.

Josef Fares Overview

Early Life and Education of Josef Fares

Josef Fares was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 19, 1977, into a family of Assyrian descent. His early childhood was marked by the Lebanese Civil War, a period of significant unrest that deeply influenced his later creative works. In 1987, at the age of ten, Fares and his family fled the war-torn country and immigrated to Sweden, settling in the city of Örebro. This experience of displacement and adaptation to a new culture would become a recurring theme in his storytelling. Growing up as an immigrant, he developed a unique perspective that would later inform his films and games. In Sweden, Fares discovered a passion for filmmaking and began creating his own short films at a young age. He attended the University College of Film, Radio, Television and Theatre, where he honed his skills as a director and storyteller.

Josef Fares’s Career

Josef Fares embarked on his creative career in the film industry, quickly establishing himself as a respected filmmaker in Sweden. His directorial debut, “Jalla! Jalla!” (2000), was a critical and commercial success, praised for its humor and heartfelt exploration of cultural identity and relationships. He followed this with other successful films such as “Kopps” (2003) and “Zozo” (2005), the latter of which earned him the prestigious Nordic Council Film Prize. His films often featured his brother, actor Fares Fares, in prominent roles. By 2006, Variety had named him one of ten upcoming directors to watch, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in cinema.

Despite his success in film, Fares harbored a deep passion for video games. In a surprising career move, he transitioned to the gaming industry, directing his first video game, “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons,” which was released in 2013. Developed in partnership with Starbreeze Studios, the game was lauded for its innovative control scheme, where a single player controls two characters simultaneously, and its powerful, emotional narrative. The critical acclaim of “Brothers” marked a significant turning point in Fares’s career.

Following this success, Fares founded his own video game development company, Hazelight Studios, in 2014, with a focus on creating story-driven, cooperative multiplayer games. The studio’s first title, “A Way Out,” was released in 2018 under Electronic Arts’ EA Originals label. This ambitious game required two players to work together to escape from prison and go on the run. “A Way Out” was a commercial success, selling over a million copies within two weeks of its release.

Hazelight’s next project, “It Takes Two,” released in 2021, further cemented Fares’s reputation as a master of cooperative gameplay. The game, which follows a divorcing couple who are magically transformed into dolls, received universal acclaim for its inventive mechanics, heartfelt story, and engaging gameplay. “It Takes Two” went on to win numerous awards, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. The game has sold over 23 million copies, a testament to its widespread appeal. More recently, Fares directed the game “Split Fiction,” which was released in 2025.

Josef Fares Personal Life & Family

Josef Fares maintains a relatively private personal life. He is the son of Jan and Mariam Fares. He has a well-known older brother, Fares Fares, who is a successful actor and has frequently collaborated with Josef on his film projects. He also has another brother named Michael and a sister named Caroline. Fares is a father to two daughters, Mio and Zoe. The protagonists of his 2025 game, “Split Fiction,” are named after his daughters, indicating the importance of his family in his creative work. Information regarding his marital status or romantic relationships is not publicly disclosed. Fares is known for his passionate and outspoken personality, often expressing his opinions on the gaming industry with unfiltered enthusiasm.

Awards and Achievements of Josef Fares

• Nordic Council Film Prize for “Zozo” (2006)
• Guldbagge Award nominations for Best Direction and Best Screenplay for “Zozo” (2006)
• Best Xbox 360 Game for “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” by VGX (2013)
• The Game Award for Game of the Year for “It Takes Two” (2021)
• The Game Award for Best Family Game for “It Takes Two” (2021)
• The Game Award for Best Multiplayer Game for “It Takes Two” (2021)
• D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design for “It Takes Two”
• D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year for “It Takes Two”

Josef Fares Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Josef Fares’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. His primary sources of income are his work as a film director and, more significantly, his role as the founder and creative director of Hazelight Studios. The commercial success of his video games, particularly “A Way Out” and the multi-award-winning “It Takes Two,” has been a major contributor to his wealth. The sales figures for “It Takes Two,” which has sold over 23 million copies, underscore the financial success of his game development ventures. Hazelight Studios has a partnership with Electronic Arts through their EA Originals program, which allows the studio to retain a significant portion of the profits from their games after development costs are recouped.

Legacy and Influence

Josef Fares has carved a unique and influential path in both the film and video game industries. In cinema, he is regarded as a talented storyteller who brought fresh perspectives to Swedish film. In the gaming world, he is a pioneering figure in the realm of cooperative gameplay. His unwavering commitment to creating shared narrative experiences has challenged the industry’s focus on single-player and competitive multiplayer games. Fares’s work consistently demonstrates the power of video games as a medium for emotional storytelling and fostering human connection. He is a vocal advocate for gaming as an art form and has been critical of industry trends that he believes detract from the creative process, such as microtransactions and NFTs. His passionate and sometimes provocative public persona has made him a memorable and respected figure among both developers and players.

Interesting Facts about Josef Fares

• Before his career in film and video games, Fares created around 50 short films.
• His brother, Fares Fares, not only acted in his films but also provided the motion capture and voice for the character Leo in the video game “A Way Out”.
• He famously gave a passionate and expletive-laden speech at The Game Awards 2017, where he criticized the Oscars and praised the gaming industry. An Easter egg referencing this speech is included in his game “It Takes Two”.
• He has stated that he would rather “get shot in the knee” than include NFTs in his games.
• Hazelight Studios will always remain independent and is not for sale, according to Fares.
• He was the summer host of the popular Swedish radio show “Sommar i P1” in 2022.

Controversies

Josef Fares is well-known for his outspoken and passionate nature, which has led to some memorable and controversial moments. The most notable of these occurred at The Game Awards in 2017. While on stage to promote “A Way Out,” he launched into an impromptu and profanity-laced speech, famously exclaiming, “Fuck the Oscars!” His impassioned rant, while censored during the live broadcast, quickly went viral and became a defining moment of the event. While his candidness is often seen as refreshing and genuine by many in the gaming community, it has also drawn comparisons to other outspoken figures in media. Fares has also been a vocal critic of certain industry practices, such as the focus on monetization over artistic integrity, which has positioned him as a passionate advocate for creative freedom in game development.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Information not disclosed.
• Twitter – Not publicly available
• YouTube – Not publicly available

Final Words about Josef Fares

Josef Fares stands as a unique and compelling figure in the world of entertainment. His journey from a refugee fleeing a war-torn country to an award-winning film director and a revolutionary video game designer is a testament to his creative vision and relentless passion. Through his work with Hazelight Studios, he has not only carved a niche for cooperative, story-driven games but has also pushed the boundaries of what interactive entertainment can be. His insistence on games as an art form and his dedication to creating emotionally resonant experiences have left an indelible mark on the industry. With Hazelight’s continued success and his unwavering commitment to innovation, Josef Fares is poised to remain a significant and influential voice in gaming for years to come. He has confirmed that work has already begun on Hazelight’s next project, with the team feeling confident they can surpass their previous successes.