Ahmad Zahra

Ahmad Zahra was born in Damascus and raised between Syria and the UK. After acquiring a Medical Degree from Damascus University, Ahmad went on to study Film, his first passion, at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He then started work in Hollywood and took on various positions from development and production to distribution including a period at 20th Century Fox and another as segment producer for New Morning, a Hallmark Channel morning show.

Ahmad went on to found Zahra Pictures, a production and distribution company of films and documentaries that celebrate cultural diversity and provide a platform for emerging and seasoned talent to have a voice. His first production through Zahra Pictures, the award winning On Common Grounds, premiered on the Hallmark Channel and continues to screen at educational institutes and other intercultural venues.

Ahmad then produced a host of films including the documentaries, Camping for Allah, Sadaqa, Saudis in America and the award winning feature film American East starring Tony Shalhoub which was released by MGM in 2009. Ahmad’s latest production is the feature film Three Veils, an edgy drama about the issues of Middle Eastern women, which premiered in the festival circuit in 2011 screening in over 25 festivals worldwide and garnering 10 awards. Three Veils was released in 2012.

Ahmad currently serves as CEO and Creative Producer of Zahra Pictures, overseeing all aspects of the business including the development and acquisition of new projects for both production and distribution with a main focus on DVD and VOD distribution. Zahra Pictures’ DVD label has grown to cover North America and its DVDs have become available from most retailers including , Netflix, Baker & Taylor, and other mainstream and niche outlets and the company plans to expand starting in 2013 into a full VOD platform.

Ahmad is often invited to lecture and advocates freedom of expression and the importance of minority groups to create their own media as a force for positive change around the world.

Ahmad lives and works in North Orange County, California