100 Steps — Sou Qadam
A short narrative film about a young boy confronting extremist recruitment. 2016 Student Academy Awards finalist and recipient of several international film awards.
I turn stories into experiences— and ideas into products.
Creative AI Product Builder & Storyteller working across film, brand, product and technology.
Through the Lens
Films written and directed for the screen, and the recognition they carried.
Film is how I make sense of the world
I believe the most powerful stories do more than entertain. They create space for reflection, challenge familiar assumptions, and help us see other people—and ourselves—more clearly.
My work across film and media is rooted in curiosity. I’m drawn to complex subjects, overlooked perspectives, and human experiences that resist simple answers. Whether I’m developing a narrative film, directing a commercial, or shaping a digital experience, I begin with the same question: What should the audience feel, understand, or question when this is over?
Technology continues to transform how stories are conceived, produced, and experienced. I see AI and emerging media not as substitutes for human creativity, but as tools that can expand it—helping us explore ideas faster, create more participatory experiences, and build new relationships between storytellers and audiences.
The format may change, but the principle remains the same: technology can enable the experience, but human truth gives it meaning.
Explore Press & Media coverage
★ Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences · 2016
Nominated for a Student Academy Award
100 Steps — Sou Qadam was selected in the Narrative category from more than 500 submissions worldwide.
Read about the nomination
CNN · Video
‘100 Steps’ between life and death
2016Watch on CNN
Forbes Asia
Named to 30 Under 30
2017 · Entertainment & SportsView the profile
Images by Dawn
The Pakistani filmmaker nominated for a Student Oscar
2016 · InterviewRead the interview
Gulf News
Young filmmaker makes it to Forbes ‘30 Under 30 Asia’
2017 · FeatureRead the article
TEDx · Talk
Delivering Stories that Matter
TEDxWatch the talk
Images byDawn
Pakistan Today
Daily Times
Brandsynario
Northwestern University
About
I like turning “what if?” into “this works.”
I'm a creative AI product builder and storyteller with more than 10 years of experience turning early ideas into products and experiences people understand, enjoy and want to use. My background in film, media, and marketing helps me bring a human point of view to new technology—because even the smartest product needs a story people can connect with.
Experience
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Manager of Integrated Marketing & Digital Content @ Media Majlis Museum, Northwestern University in Qatar
Leads integrated marketing, digital storytelling, multimedia, exhibition UI/UX design and audience-facing initiatives for the Arab world's first museum dedicated to media, communication, journalism & art.
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Senior Creative Media Specialist @ Qatar Foundation
Founded and led an in-house multimedia and film unit, producing original content across Qatar Foundation and its entities.
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Writer, Director & Producer @ Independent Filmmaker
Creates socially engaged films screened and recognized across the US, UK, Middle East, and South Asia. Television & web film commercials including directing commercials for Qatar Airways and Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
Capabilities
AI & Product
- AI product ideation & conceptualization
- Zero-to-one product thinking
- Creative strategy & experience design
Marketing & Story
- Integrated marketing & brand positioning
- Narrative development & storytelling
- Digital content & social-media strategy
Film & Media
- Filmmaking, directing, cinematography & producing
- Scriptwriting & creative direction
- Photography & video production
- Immersive & exhibition media
Leadership & Tools
- Team building & creative leadership
- Founder approach, from 360 product development
- Leading creative professionals
- Building efficient workflows with creative, technical and business objectives
Get In Touch
Building something at the intersection of story, media, and AI? I'd love to hear about it.
Email Me