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Usama Alshaibi
Since 2009
Works in Chicago

- http://artvamp.com/usama
- www.facebook.com/usama.alshaibi
- UsamaAlshaibi

PORTFOLIO (7)

Allahu Akbar
Baghdad, Iowa
Dream of Samarra
Looking at Clouds
My Mother Paused By My Father
My Third Painting
Signal Cross Over
BIO

Usama Alshaibi was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1969 and spent his formative years living between the United States and the Middle East. His work in film and video has been screened at numerous film festivals and venues across the globe. In early 2004 Usama and his wife returned to his birthplace in Iraq to shoot his first feature documentary titled "Nice Bombs." The documentary had a theatrical release in 2007 and a broadcast premiere on the Sundance Channel in March 2008.
Usama has completed one narrative feature titled "Muhammad and Jane," and more than thirty short films that are on various International DVD compilations. He has also produced and directed music videos for a variety of musicians and record labels. Usama was the founder and Director of the notorious Chicago based 'Z Film Festival' from 2000 to 2005.
In addition to reaching an eclectic audience with his film work, Alshaibi's photography and art have been included in various gallery exhibitions and web publications. An interview with Usama appears in Studs Terkel's book "Hope Dies Last" and his films have been included in Jack Sargeant's book "Deathtripping: The Extreme Underground". Feature articles have been written about his work in such places as the Chicago Tribune, Time Out, and Variety.
Alshaibi is the recipient of a generous 2005 grant from the Creative Capital Foundation for the Arts and Playboy Foundation Award, as well as the winner of the Creative Promise Award at Tribeca All Access in New York City.
Currently, Alshaibi is in post-production on his second narrative feature titled "Profane," and a web-based projected titled "Baghdad, Iowa."
Interview in Vice: http://vice.typepad.com/vice_magazine/2009/02/usama-alsahibis.html
WGN Morning News TV interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teyrjxZU7Wc
Interview with Studs Terkel: http://www.dancehabibi.com/terkel_alshaibi.html
Bringing the War Home (TimeOut): http://www.dancehabibi.com/timeoutchicago_mojica.html