Shaniaz Hama Ali
Actor / Writer
Agent
Assistant
Biography
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.
Credits
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IN LOCKDOWN | Unlimited Stories |
Short film in development |
| VIOLA BEACH (working title) | Palma Pictures |
Pilot Script and Series Bible commissioned |
| THE BAND (working title) | Media Pro Studios |
Pilot Script and Series Bible commissioned. Shaniaz wrote and ran the Writers’ Room. |
| THE REFUGEE | Sony |
Script commission |
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
ORDINARY (working title) 2020 |
Yellow Bird |
Pilot Script and Series Bible commissioned |
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 |
