Samah Damanhoori is an award-winning activist, storyteller, and visionary content creator dedicated to championing social justice and inclusive narratives.
As the founder of Madina Papel, Samah has established a transformative production company that reimagines “happily ever afters” for the modern world.
Through captivating animated films, immersive open-world video games, and interactive AI experiences, she harnesses the power of storytelling to create worlds where everyone feels seen, accepted, and inspired.
Samah’s personal journey has shaped her bold approach to storytelling. Originally from Saudi Arabia, her experiences with the Saudi guardianship system led to her seeking political asylum in the United States. This pivotal moment sparked her commitment to using art as a catalyst for change. Her acclaimed short animation, Paper City (Madina Papel), draws from these struggles and helped her mend relationships with her family, reflecting her belief in healing through storytelling.
Connect with Samah
A clip from the acclaimed short film "The Exchange" (** course language warning)
Samah’s professional path includes leadership roles at Meta, Apple, HBO, Genentech, and Genvid, where she spearheaded diversity and inclusion initiatives. She further honed her entrepreneurial skills as a participant in prestigious accelerators like Techstars powered by J.P. Morgan and Hive Founders.
Whether advocating for marginalized voices, building innovative entertainment experiences, or inspiring others to embrace their true identities, Samah’s work is driven by a singular mission: to create a world where everyone is valued, celebrated, and empowered to write their own stories.
How has your participation in the Regenerative Creation Cohort impacted your work as an artist?
The Regenerative Creation Cohort transformed my work by helping me balance professional, mental, and spiritual health, which reshaped my creative process. It validated my dreams and refined my vision for Madina Papel, empowering me to create inclusive, magical worlds that connect people to their true selves. The relationships I formed with fellow participants have become a vital support system, inspiring collaboration and growth. This experience taught me to embrace authenticity and align my art with purpose, significantly advancing my creative journey. The Regenerative Creation Cohort refined my vision for Madina Papel, empowering me to create inclusive, magical worlds that connect people to their true selves. It provided tools and support to align my creative process with authenticity and purpose, significantly advancing the project.
Where are your beginnings as a storyteller, creator, and a filmmaker begin?
My journey as a writer began long ago in Saudi Arabia, where I first started crafting stories that emerged from the depths of my imagination. My early works were mostly romantic horror—an unusual genre for my environment. I shared these stories with my family, but instead of support, I was punished. They labeled my writing as provocative and unreserved, accusing me of stepping outside the boundaries of what was expected of a “good” Muslim woman.
Feeling stifled, I shifted to writing poetry in English. This medium felt safer, as my family didn’t fully grasp the meaning of my words. The language barrier offered a kind of forgiveness and protection, allowing me to express myself without fear of immediate scrutiny. Still, the lack of understanding meant that my work went largely unnoticed.
Later, I began writing a memoir as I prepared to leave for a scholarship abroad to pursue my master’s degree. This was a pivotal moment for my growth as a writer, as it marked the transition from imaginative storytelling to deeply personal narrative. However, my trajectory changed abruptly when my father canceled my scholarship. The shock and fear of confronting him—and the devastating prospect of losing my family and everything I had ever known—became the defining moment of my creative journey.
Out of this crisis, Madina Papel was born. The short animation became my escape from a horrifying reality that felt impossible to navigate. The film tells a deeply personal story inspired by my own experiences, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and the search for belonging. It became a way for me to process my emotions and reclaim my voice in the face of immense pressure.
Through this process, I discovered the transformative power of magical worlds. They serve as sanctuaries—places where we can find refuge and make sense of realities that defy logic or fairness. My writing evolved into a tool not just for self-expression but for survival. It allowed me to bridge the gap between the world I was living in and the one I longed to create, offering a sense of hope and agency in even the darkest moments.
