Soraya Simi is an award-winning director, producer, and writer.
Her work has been Oscar-considered, commissioned by Fortune 500 brands, and trusted by elite athletes, celebrities, and global storytellers.
Her work spans feature documentaries, commercial campaigns, and branded films for world-class talent and global audiences. Her debut feature ROW OF LIFE — Executive Produced by 2x WNBA Champion Sue Bird — is currently in consideration for the Academy Awards and has positioned her as a rising voice in human endurance storytelling.
With over 15 years of experience across unscripted television, docu-series, and advertising, Soraya specializes in cinematic, character-driven stories that sit at the intersection of athleticism, identity, and resilience. The USC Film grad has produced multi-million dollar campaigns starring A-list talent, led international crews in extreme environments, and raised nearly $1M in private financing for independent films.
Fluent in French and experienced living and working across Europe, the U.S., and remote ocean environments, Soraya brings a global lens and exceptional adaptability to every production. Her ability to operate in extreme conditions and culturally diverse settings uniquely positions her for international filmmaking and stories that push physical and emotional boundaries.
EXPERTISE
Director
Soraya Simi is a director known for cinematic, character-driven nonfiction across feature documentaries, docu-series, and global commercial campaigns. Her debut feature ROW OF LIFE (2025), Executive Produced by Sue Bird and co-produced by TIME Studios and TOGETHXR, is currently in consideration for the Academy Awards and has established her as a rising voice in human endurance storytelling. She is currently directing End Endo, co-produced with Tribeca Studios and featuring Amy Schumer, Julianne Hough, and others, and El Grande, a true-crime docu-series produced with Get Lifted Film Co. (EP John Legend). Soraya also directs branded content for major global companies and nonprofits featuring A-list talent and elite athletes. Her work is defined by emotional depth, visual precision, and a focus on resilience, identity, and the limits of human capability.
Producer
With a proven ability to lead large-scale productions from concept through delivery, spanning feature films, branded campaigns, and international shoots, Soraya has successfully secured significant private financing in addition managing all stages of production, post, and distribution. Her commercial portfolio includes work for global brands — often featuring A-list talent and complex multi-location shoots. She also regularly produces environmental and advocacy-driven films for nonprofits and foundations in Santa Barbara. Soraya is known for her strategic financing acumen, creative leadership, and ability to scale teams for both high-budget commercial campaigns and independent mission-driven projects.
Writer
A published writer and narrative storyteller, Soraya has authored long-form essays, profiles, and op-eds for outlets including Outside Magazine, EMOCEAN, The Inertia, and Row360. Her writing centers on adventure, the ocean, and the human spirit, often expanding the thematic worlds of her film projects. She is currently writing her debut novel—a coming-of-age drama set in a 12th-century Portuguese fishing village, famous for the biggest waves on earth, and developing a scripted adaptation for ROW OF LIFE. Across mediums, Soraya’s writing is marked by lyrical voice, character intimacy, and a deep sense of emotional honesty.
CLIENTS
Soraya has partnered with a diverse range of clients, from high net worth companies to grassroots non-profits, and is comfortable scaling projects accordingly. She believes the bottom line should always be a good story, well told.
VELVEETA
COLUMBIA
WESTBANK CORP.
OUTSIDE
FUEL TV
ROW 360
CLEVR
EFORMS
TRUMER PILS
PATAGONIA
YETI
GUYAKI
BUILDING LOCAL COMMUNITY
Soraya is the Founder of a local, grassroots organization, 805 Film Collective. She first had the idea after moving to Santa Barbara during the pandemic, whereupon many industry folks had similarly migrated outside of cities like LA, SF, and NYC in search of a calmer lifestyle.
Today, the organization has united over 600 community members in the Central Coast, and hosts between 2-3 virtual & in-person events monthly. 805 Film Collective curates events that invoke creativity, sharpen the collective filmmaking craft, and nurture a real sense of communal belonging. This humble idea has since turned into an economic engine for filmmakers, helping pair creators with job opportunities and enabling more productions to get made locally.
