Saila Kariat

Directing

Birthplace: Berkeley, California, United States

Saila pursued a career as an electrical engineer and builder while dreaming of filmmaking. After obtaining her Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Saila worked as an engineer and manager at IBM and a start-up. She finally got an opportunity to study filmmaking at SJSU and was valedictorian of the class of 2008. She wrote, directed, and co-produced her debut feature The Valley about an Indian American entrepreneur seeking answers after the suicide of his daughter. It is currently streaming on Apple TV, Roku and Peacock. She has adapted the NYT Bestselling memoir Jesus Land, by Julia Scheeres into a screenplay, and directed and produced the film. It is currently on the festival circuit and will be released in 2027. Visit her at www.sailakariat.com.