Shahad Ameen

Shahad Ameen (Arabic: شهد أمين) is a Saudi filmmaker best known for directing the 2019 film Scales.

Early life and education Ameen was born and raised in Jeddah. She attended the University of West London and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Video Production and Film Studies. In 2012, she participated in the screenwriting conservatory at the New York Film Academy.

Career Ameen's first short film, Our Own Musical, was released in 2009. Leila's Window, her 2011 short film about a young girl's alienation from her family, screened at the Gulf Film Festival and the Saudi Film festival.

In 2013, Ameen's short film Eye & Mermaid debuted at the Dubai International Film Festival. Telling the story of a girl who learns the pearls her father brings their family have been taken from mermaids, the short also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and was recognized with the Best Cinematography award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Hijra world-premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival's Venice Spotlight section in August 2025.

Filmography Year Title Notes Ref. 2009 Our Own Musical Short film 2019 Venice Film Festival International Critics' Week Scales Singapore International Film Festival Best Asian Feature Film 2020 Taipei Film Festival International New Talent Competition Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival Best Feature Film