Growing up in Saudi Arabia and the U.S., Jumanah Shaheen was entranced by classic fantasy and science-fiction movies. Now an award-winning visual effects producer based in Hollywood, Jumanah is supporting exciting new storytellers from Saudi Arabia, where rapid social change is fueling explosive growth in the national film industry.
A love of storytelling and a passion for animation have put Saudi-born special effects producer Jumanah Shaheen on the fast track to Hollywood success.
Even in the globalized and diverse media business, it is still a surprise to find a young Saudi woman making a name for herself in the male-dominated visual effects industry. But in the last few years, Jeddah-born producer Jumanah Shaheen has broken down the barriers and emerged as one of the brightest talents in the business. And as the creative industries in Saudi Arabia flourish, the young producer is also auditioning for acting roles in Saudi productions.
“I’ve always been passionate about visual effects and animation, and I’ve been very fortunate in the teams I have worked with,” she says. “With a common goal and a positive attitude, I believe there is nothing a team can’t achieve, including winning multiple awards.”
Jumanah and her team have produced the visual effects for worldwide hits by the likes of Shawn Mendes and Eminem, garnering hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. Their efforts have also been recognized at the American Music Awards, one of the industry’s leading showcases of talent and innovation in video production.
“Producing a major award-winning video is a lot of very hard work, but when you see how the video impacts people emotionally and can even change them for the better, it makes it all worth it,” she says.
Already a go-to name for visual effects production in Hollywood, Jumanah is now turning her attention to the fast-growing creative industries in her home country, and has started a small business to develop her own ideas and produce content from a new generation of up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers. “Whenever I come back to Saudi Arabia, it is incredibly inspiring to see my friends in the creative space thriving and enjoying the opportunity to create new narratives and share their stories. “It is beyond exciting. This is our time to share with the world who we are and what we stand for. Finally, we have the mic in our hands.”
How inspired are you by the growth of the creative industries in Saudi Arabia?
I regularly go back to Saudi Arabia from Los Angeles. I do not have the words to describe how exciting it is to see Saudis finally in the spotlight. It is an incredible opportunity for all filmmakers and creators in Saudi Arabia. We have always used media and art to tell our story. This is our time to make our print of what our society is and what our identity is. It is a crazy time to be alive. I feel very fortunate to be part of this wave.
Are you surprised by the pace of change in Saudi Arabia, especially for women?
I think it was bound to happen. There are so many intelligent, strong, and passionate women and men in Saudi Arabia. I am delighted that the change is happening so quickly. More than anything, it is giving women the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. I feel lucky to be here to embrace this opportunity. Growing up in Saudi Arabia and coming from a family of five siblings, four of us girls, I always had a lot of strong women in my life who inspired me. They showed me that you can do whatever you want.
“I have always been fascinated by the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy, by the chance to push the boundaries of reality.”
Jumanah Shaheen, visual effects and animation producer
What do you think the potential is for Saudi Arabia to tell new stories to the world?
There are all types of relatable stories coming through that we have not seen before on the screen, such as new films from my hometown, Jeddah. Movies and television have taught me that all cultures may be different, but we can all still relate to the common human experience.
The creative opportunities are endless in every sector of the industry. We have this new room to grow and experiment in. There is also a lot of increased support coming from the private and public sectors to help filmmakers realize their dreams.
What advice would you give to Saudi filmmakers, especially women?
I do not see myself as a role model, but I hope my example can inspire people to follow their path and their passion. Nobody will hand you everything on a silver platter. But if you are looking to break into the production industry or create movies, then create! Take the initiative. You do not need a million dollars.
To create something, all you need is a vision and a passion. That creation will open up amazing opportunities. Your vision will be relatable to someone and your story will be important. No one really cares about where you come from. They care about where you want to go. If they see you taking the initiative to go somewhere, they will want to see you thrive
As published in FORTUNE magazine
Credits: Photographer: Phil America ; BTS videography: REELxpozure; Creative Director: Nicky Parks ; Stylist: Ib Abdel Nasser; Producer: Raneen Bukhari; Editor: Dorian “Scottie” Wilson
