Shaina Ghuraya

Shaina Ghuraya is a writer and director whose style is a lot like her personality—quirky, bold and unapologetic. She grew up in the suburb of Elk Grove, California, where she stood out as a young Indian girl in a wheelchair. But the constant stares and whispers from others emboldened her to take up space as an activist for people with disabilities. She made her first film at Sacramento State University where, upset at the discriminatory policies, she attached a camera to her wheelchair and filmed her experiences. It led to systemic change at the university, but also made her realize that her unique perspective is needed in Hollywood. 

Shaina was a pandemic graduate of USC’s Film and TV Production program and is finishing up her time as a Netflix Animation Apprentice and writer on the show Boons and Curses. She is a 2020 Academy Gold Rising Alumni, where she was named Valedictorian, and she was also the 2020 winter recipient of the SF Film Rainin Grant for her feature film Agg, which she will direct. Her films have screened at Slamdance, Superfest, ReelAbilities LA, and Easterseals. 

Shaina loves to play in comedy and dramedy spaces, and is committed to showing disabled happiness in a world that so often shows disabled misery. She seeks to tell stories about fiery underdogs, particularly through an intersectional disability lens. 

Shaina plans to have a first look deal in the next three years. She writes both film and TV and plans to become a showrunner. She also aims to create a production company whose sole focus is identifying disabled talent who aren’t based in LA, and helping them bring their stories to life. 

Shaina’s greatest privilege was traveling to over 20 countries as a kid. Having a mother from England and a father from India instilled the importance of seeing the world through different perspectives, which can help you find your place in the universe. Traveling as a wheelchair-user was particularly enlightening, and has given Shaina an endless supply of multicultural experiences to draw from for her work. 

She is represented by Jeff Portnoy at Bellevue Productions