Bio

Nawal Salim is an actress, filmmaker, and community organizer. She has her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Documentary Media at Ryerson University: School of Image Arts in Toronto. For her masters thesis project, she produced a documentary film about Muslim actresses and documented her own journey as a hijabi actress trying to get an agent and land a role. The film premiered at the DocNow festival on June 11th at the Art Gallery of Ontario. 

 Nawal was also the recipient of the Salma & Jeelani Wani Scholarship for Film and TV at MAX Gala 2018. The scholarship aimed to encourage young Canadian Muslims to tell their stories and bring their unique perspectives to the table in film and/or TV as writers, directors, producers, actors, or in other creative capacities.  

 In September 2013, she founded Greenlight Productions; a Muslim dramatic arts organization that allowed individuals at York University in Toronto to perform and create dramatic art. Events included: Open mic nights every two weeks, screenwriting and filmmaking workshops, and a film showcase at the end of each year. After completing her undergraduate studies, she studied acting at Second City Toronto, Armstrong Studios, LB Acting studios, Professional Actors Lab. Previously, she had volunteered at MuslimFest for two years as the Rising Talent Coordinator where she put on a talent competition for young Muslims. Nawal continues to facilitate filmmaking workshops for high school students.