Born in Konstanz, Germany, as a half Iranian-German, Shamila’s passion for cinema ignited in her youth. Joining a local art house cinema’s film club at 14, she delved into film projects, youth programming, and film projection. After high school in 2009, Shamila undertook a film theater management apprenticeship, working as a projectionist at various cinemas. Later, she pursued a Bachelor of Digital Filmmaking at SAE Institute Cologne until 2016. Afterward, she had the opportunity to spend half a year at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, deepening her directing skills.

Passionate about technology and its potential in filmmaking, Shamila developed a strong affinity for visual effects. As a freelance director and writer, she crafted multiple independent short films. When her DIY superhero short Blake (2017) – a defiant, VFX-patched ode to queer resilience – won the German Newcomer Film Award, critics called it “a middle finger to cookie-cutter genre tropes.”. Her films often feature strong female leads, frequently exploring science fiction with LGBTQ themes. However, her commitment to storytelling goes beyond entertainment. This was evident in a documentary about the struggles of Lebanese children, which she co-directed with an Arabic filmmaker in 2023. Shamila aims to evoke empathy, provoke thought, and highlight the resilience of individuals facing adversity. With her unique background as both half-Iranian and queer, her journey weaves a narrative of passionate dedication to storytelling, a commitment to amplifying diverse voices, and a fusion of technology and VFX in the cinematic realm.