Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker, entrepreneur, and activist. She was born on November 12, 1978, in Karachi, Pakistan.
Obaid-Chinoy received her early education from Karachi Grammar School and later attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and government. She then went on to obtain a master’s degree in international relations from Stanford University.
Obaid-Chinoy began her career as a journalist, working for a variety of news outlets, including CNN and Channel 4 News. In 2002, she founded her own production company, SOC Films, which produces documentaries, short films, and television shows. Her work has been screened at international film festivals and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Documentary Short Subject for her films “Saving Face” and “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”.
In addition to her work in film, Obaid-Chinoy is also a social activist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve Pakistan’s cultural heritage through oral history interviews and archival material. She is also a board member of the Women’s Refugee Commission, an organization that advocates for the rights and well-being of refugee women and children.
Obaid-Chinoy has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and honors. In 2012, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. She has also been awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the arts and social activism.
Overall, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s biography is one of a talented and accomplished filmmaker, entrepreneur, and activist who has made significant contributions to Pakistani society and the international film community.
