Shahad Ameen
Shahad Ameenشهد أمين | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | University of West London |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, screenwriter |
Shahad Ameen (Arabic: شهد أمين) is a Saudi filmmaker best known for directing the 2019 film Scales.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Ameen was born and raised in Jeddah. She attended the University of West London and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Video Production and Film Studies.[2] In 2012, she participated in the screenwriting conservatory at the New York Film Academy.[3]
Career[edit]
Ameen's first short film, Our Own Musical, was released in 2009. Leila's Window, her 2011 short film about a young girl's alienation from her family, screened at the Gulf Film Festival and the Saudi Film festival.[2][4]
In 2013, Ameen's short film Eye & Mermaid debuted at the Dubai International Film Festival. Telling the story of a girl who learns the pearls her father brings their family have been taken from mermaids, the short also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was recognized with the Best Cinematography award at the Abu Dhabi International Film Festival.[4]
After completing the script for Eye & Mermaid, Ameen began work on her first feature-length project, also about mermaids. The resulting film, Scales, premiered at the International Critic's Week portion of the 76th Venice International Film Festival in 2019.[1]
In May 2024, Variety reported that Ameen's second feature film, Hijra, was in production after years of development.[5]
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Our Own Musical | Short film | [2] |
| 2011 | Leila's Window | Short film | [2] |
| 2013 | Eye & Mermaid | Short film | [2] |
| 2019 | Scales | — | [2] |
| TBA | Hijra † | — | [5] |
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Abu Dhabi International Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Eye & Mermaid | Won | [2][4] |
| Emirates Film Competition | Short Narrative Competition | Won | [6] | ||
| 2019 | Venice Film Festival | International Critics' Week | Scales | Nominated | [2] |
| Verona Film Club Award | Won | [2] | |||
| BFI London Film Festival | Best First Feature | Won | [1] | ||
| Carthage Film Festival | Official Competition Narrative Feature Film | Bronze Tanit | [7] | ||
| Singapore International Film Festival | Best Asian Feature Film | Won | [8] | ||
| 2020 | Taipei Film Festival | International New Talent Competition | Nominated | [9] | |
| Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | [10] |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Sharma, Karina; Ahmed, Khulood. "Why This Saudi Director is Dominating International Film Festivals". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Taylor, Mika. "Q&A with Shahad Ameen". William & Mary. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screenwriting Alum Shahad Amaeen Debuts Feature Film at Venice Film Festival". New York Film Academy. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Goodfellow, Melanie. ""Jeddah has come alive," says rising Saudi talent Shahad Ameen". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b Vivarelli, Nick. "Saudi Director Shahad Ameen Shooting Female Empowerment Road Movie 'Hijra' With CAA Handling U.S. Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Rosser, Michael. "Abu Dhabi honours best short, Emirates films". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Awards". JCC Carthage Film Festival. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Scott, Matthew. "Singapore Film Fest Awards: Late Filipino Star Kristoffer King Wins Best Performance Prize for Final Role". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz. "Taipei Film Festival to go ahead as physical event without overseas guests". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "A World of Sci-Fi Honoured at Sydney Science Fiction Festival". Screen-Space. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
External links[edit]
- Shahad Ameen at IMDb