Sam Kadi

Sam Kadi is an award-winning filmmaker based in Santa Barbara, California. Kadi is the writer, director, and producer of the critically acclaimed feature drama THE CITIZEN, starring Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride). THE CITIZEN received five awards on the international festival circuit before being released theatrically worldwide. The film was named among the "Best 10 Films of 2013" by Examiner.com. Kadi’s recent award-winning documentary, LITTLE GANDHI, was an Official Selection for Best Foreign Language Film for 2017 Oscars. Kadi was invited to screen LITTLE GANDHI and to speak before U.S. Members of Congress, Members of the United Nations, Amnesty International, and the Canadian Parliament where Kadi met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Kadi is the producer of the 2023 Oscar – shortlisted feature animation film LAMYA’S POEM.

Kadi has been recognized by the prestigious Cinema For Peace organization for raising awareness of human rights issues through film, and was asked to speak about the same subject before the International Criminal Court at The Hague, The Netherlands. Kadi was presented with a Humanitarian Service Award by the Life for Relief and Development Organization and in 2014, The SHOAH Foundation, founded by acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, chose him as a Spotlight Juror.

Kadi is a TEDx speaker, the founder of Sam K Production, and a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), where he serves on the Guild Asian American committee. Kadi is a jury member for multiple film festivals, including the European Independent Film Festival (Paris) and Asian World Film Festival (Los Angeles).