The Hollywood Salon with Filmmaker Samantha Shada

Continuing the legacy of her upbringing, this month’s guest is a pioneering filmmaker, shaping a career centered on inclusive, female-driven narratives. With acclaimed short films and a passion for both cinema and theater, she’s now working on her debut feature, poised to make a lasting impact. This is a filmmaker you’ll want to know YOU! Catch her at the upcoming Hollywood Salon on Monday, April 14th at 8PM!

SAMANTHA SHADA grew up in the mountains of Colorado and the plains of Nebraska. After moving east and completing her degree in film production at EMERSON COLLEGE, she landed in California and has worked with notable companies such as the WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, UNITED TALENT AGENCY, UNIVERSAL PICTURES, OVERBROOK ENTERTAINMENT, & SONY PICTURES STUDIOS.

Sam’s narrative short films, Beauty School and Sexless, both premiered at the OSCAR QUALIFYING LA SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL before broadcasting world wide on SHORTSTV with DirectTV. Her script adaptation of Willa Cather’s The Song of the Lark participated in SUNDANCE CO//ABS, STOWE STORY LABS at the SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL and in the JOAN SCHECKEL FILMMAKING LABS. She has developed new work, directed, and produced theatre in Los Angeles through collaboration with THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL, BRIMMER ST. THEATRE CO., THE LA FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT’S INITIATIVE, THE BLANK THEATER AND THEATRE WEST. Sam has also directed readings with the South East European Film Festival‘s SEEFest Writer’s Accelerator Showcase.

Currently, Samantha is working on her debut feature narrative film Come Home With Me. The story follows an Arab American girl as she falls into an obsessive relationship with her high school crush when he deploys to Iraq following September 11th. The project is actively seeking investment partners for a physical production start in winter 2025-2026 in Colorado.