Yahya is a polyglot, Syrian-Canadian-French actor. His lead role in The Man Who Sold His Skin by Kaouther Ben Hania earned him the ‘Orizzonti’ Best Actor Award at the 77th Venice International Film Festival in September 2020, where the film premiered. The film was subsequently nominated in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars in 2021. Yahya’s performance in the film was lauded by critics, including by TIME magazine which described it as “fiery and soulful”.

More recently, Yahya played one of the lead roles in Brandt Andersen’s The Strangers’ Case (Berlinale 2024) and a supporting role in Alejandro Monteverde’s Zero A.D. (Angel Films). He also played the lead role in Episode 2 (John the Baptist) and a supporting role in Episode 5 (Francis of Assisi) in Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints (Lionsgate).