Asad Farooqui

Asad Farooqui is a Professor of Film and Television at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Atlanta, GA (2022–present). Previously, he served as a Film Lecturer at Central Washington University's College of Arts and Humanities (2020–22), teaching courses like Intro to Film, Iranian Cinema, and Film Directing. He holds an M.F.A. in Film from Columbia University and a B.A. in Religion from Emory University. His pedagogical approach emphasizes inclusive practices and asset-based learning, using platforms like Canvas and Zoom for hybrid instruction.

Farooqui specializes in film theory, screenwriting, and cultural representation in cinema. His work focuses on underrepresented communities, blending independent filmmaking with socially conscious storytelling. He has developed curricula for minorities and directed screenwriting workshops, such as the FOCUS Screenwriting Workshop (2017–19), aimed at amplifying marginalized voices.

His awards include the Columbia University Film Festival Faculty Honors (2020), Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition Win (2019), and multiple grants including the Islamic Scholarship Fund National Film Grant (2018). He has produced, written, and directed films like Mabrook (2021), Broke (2018), and Chor (2015), showcased at festivals including Palm Springs and Bentonville.

Farooqui’s career spans academia and industry, including roles as a Teaching Fellow at Columbia University (2018–19), outreach strategist at Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (2019), and Business Analyst at McMaster-Carr (2011–15), where he managed Fortune 500 client accounts.