Shahad Ameen

Shahad Ameen
شهد أمين
Born
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
EducationUniversity 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

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

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 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

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]
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2014 Abu Dhabi 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

  1. ^ a b c Sharma, Karina; Ahmed, Khulood. "Why This Saudi Director is Dominating International Film Festivals". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Taylor, Mika. "Q&A with Shahad Ameen". William & Mary. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ^ "New York Film Academy (NYFA) Screenwriting Alum Shahad Amaeen Debuts Feature Film at Venice Film Festival". New York Film Academy. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Goodfellow, Melanie. ""Jeddah has come alive," says rising Saudi talent Shahad Ameen". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Rosser, Michael. "Abu Dhabi honours best short, Emirates films". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Awards". JCC Carthage Film Festival. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Shackleton, Liz. "Taipei Film Festival to go ahead as physical event without overseas guests". Screen Daily. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  10. ^ "A World of Sci-Fi Honoured at Sydney Science Fiction Festival". Screen-Space. Retrieved 14 May 2024.