Sanaa Hamri

On this episode of Human Code, Abigail chats with Sanaa Hamri, a renowned film, television, music video, and commercial director from Tangier, Morocco. She is currently in an overall deal with Amazon Television Studios. She is directing S2 of their "Lord of the Rings" show coming off of their tentpole series S2 of "The Wheel of Time" as EP/Director. Hamri was previously Executive Producer/Director of the blockbuster series "Empire" on Fox Broadcasting from 2015 to 2020, overseeing all aesthetic aspects of the show including episodic directors, production design, music, art direction, and hair/wardrobe. She also had a first look deal with 20th Television during that time.

Hamri began her career as an editor under the mentorship of Malik Sayeed and within a few years, she began directing music videos. As an acclaimed music video director, Hamri's prolific career boasts collaborations with high profile hip hop/R&B musicians including Prince, Common, Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, and Mary J. Blige. Her work has been celebrated by award nominations and wins for some of the industry's highest honors, including and NAACP Image Award for India Arie's 2003 "Little Things" as well as an MTV VMA for Nicki Minaj's 2010 blockbuster hit "Super Bass," which generated an online viewership of over one billion worldwide hits. Hamri also directed Mariah Carey's sold-out live arena concert documentary, "The Adventures of Mimi," which she shot in high-definition using 14 cameras.

Hamri's past episodic work includes directorial credits on some of TV's most watched programming: "Shameless" (on Showtime), "Rectify," "Nashville," "Elementary," "Glee," and "Desperate Housewives." She also shot the pilot for VH1's successful series "Hit The Floor," which is currently in its third season.

Hamri made her feature directorial debut in 2006 with the Focus Features romantic comedy "Something New." She has since directed the sequel to the Warner Bros hit "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," as well as the Fox Searchlight romantic comedy "Just Wright," starring Queen Latifah, Common and Paula Patton, released in Summer 2010.