Shaniaz Hama Ali
Actor / Writer
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
Shaniaz debuted her one-woman show The Big Lie at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018, where it earned widespread critical praise, including 4-star reviews from Broadway Baby, The List, and Edinburgh49. The show was featured in The Scotsman, named one of the Daily Record’s top four must-see productions, and nominated for the Amnesty Freedom of Speech Award. It is now being developed for television by Sony Pictures Entertainment with Shaniaz set to write, executive produce and star.
Her directorial debut, the short The Most Merciful - filmed in France and showcased to industry audiences at the Cannes Film Festival, earned significant praise and Shaniaz is currently working on the feature length script.
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
IN LOCKDOWN | Unlimited Stories | Short film in development |
UNTITLED COMMISSION | Palma Pictures | New TV Series in development with Palma Pictures |
UNTITLED COMMISSION | Media Pro | New TV series in development with Media Pro |
THE REFUGEE | Sony | Script commission |
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
SHANIAZ TV PROJECT 2020 | Yellow Bird | Treatment & Pilot Script commission |
Theatre
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
ÇAVÊ WINDA 2020 | RSC | Translation of the Kurdish monolgue by Yıldız Çakar |
THE BIG LIE 2019 | The Frontline Club | Shaniaz was invited to perform her one woman show as part of the 'Frontline Fringe' event. |
THE BIG LIE 2018 | Edinburgh Fringe Festival | Dir. Oscar Toeman |
Short Films
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE MOST MERCIFUL 2025 | Kubra Production & Tales.Film | As Director, Writer, Producer and Lead Actress. Shaniaz's directorial debut. |
PRACTICE 2018 | Deva Films | This was a collaborative writing process with writer Mandy Lee drawing together the final draft |
Press for The Most Merciful
"A FIERCE, DEFIANT POLITICAL KNOCKOUT - WHERE 'SINGLE WHITE FEMALE' MEETS 'GET OUT'" - Kaleem Aftab, Film Critic for Variety and The Independent, Author of Spike Lee's autobiography
"THIS STUNNING DIRECTORIAL DEBUT FROM SHANIAZ HAMA ALI IS EXACTLY WHY I WATCH FILMS." - Derek Stettler, contributor to American Cinematographer and ICG Magazine
Press for THE BIG LIE
“A story of blockbuster proportions! Every now and then you hear a story and wish the whole world could hear it too. The Big Lie is one of those. Shaniaz Hama Ali beams with honesty, vulnerability and likeability throughout the performance, impressing with her grasp of comedy and subtlety…The Big Lie is an urgent and captivating story, told by a voice the world needs to hear.” ★★★★ - EDINBURGH49
“Shaniaz's storytelling capabilities are intelligent, apt and truly cutting; a welcome break from the more trivial pieces of this year's Fringe.” ★★★★ - THE LIST
“Shaniaz Hama Ali’s semi-autobiographical play contains all the elements needed for a great story…and like the rest of the fascinating hour that we spend in her company, we applaud her for it.” ★★★★ - BROADWAY BABY