Meet Our 2023-2024 AWC Fellow: Zaynah Waseem

Visual Communications is thrilled to introduce our 2023-2024 Armed With a Camera Cohort! Meet Zaynah Waseem, a graduate student at the University of Southern California pursuing her Master of Arts in Visual Anthropology. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Media & Cultural Studies from the University of California, Riverside. As a Pakistani-American, her work uplifts the diverse stories of South Asian, Muslim communities through ethnographic film, media production, digital storytelling, and archival research. Having grown up in various communities across the world, Zaynah has a special interest in exploring themes like memory, belonging, diaspora, immigrant experiences, third culture identities, and migration.

At this year’s Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Zaynah will be presenting an arts exhibit of

Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE FILM/MEDIA ARTS
Coming from a culture rich in oral history traditions, I was raised in a family of storytellers. During family gatherings, older generations of the family shared memories of their past, often bringing out photo albums. I found their stories of perseverance, bravery, and compassion so inspiring and yet these were all characteristics I rarely ever saw depicted in commercial media about Pakistani, Muslim communities. Film/media arts exposed me to a vast world of visual mediums, ranging from archives to non-fiction film, inspiring me to create alternative possibilities for authentic storytelling that give back to the communities we come from.

Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON YOUR FREE TIME
I love exploring art galleries/museums, cultural markets, traveling, building Lego sets, and spending time with friends and family!

FAVORITE FILMS
Pride & Prejudice (2005)

FAVORITE TV SHOW
Archive 81 & The Crown

CURRENT WATCH
A Murder at the End of the World

MUSIC ARTIST ON REPEAT
Atif Aslam or the La La Land soundtrack, there’s no in between.

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION
TehranRo Persian Restaurant

UNPOPULAR OPINION
Sometimes, sourdough bread ruins a good sandwich.

Q: WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THIS YEAR’S AWC
I’m excited and grateful to be on this journey with the other fellows. All of us have such unique artistic practices and I’m looking forward to learning, growing, and building community with them.

WHERE TO FIND YOU
@zaynahw_on IG