Emmy award winning TV/Film producer, digital storyteller, former educator, and an advocate for Native American rights with a background in the entertainment industry.
BIO
Sahar Khadjenoury is a highly skilled professional with a strong background in multimedia and video production. She has experience in fundraising coordination, youth mentorship, and team building. Sahar’s work focuses on Native American and World Indigenous content, and she has worked with reputable organizations such as Utah Navajo Health System and Indian Country Today. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media Studies from the University of Utah, with a GPA of 3.7/4.0. She also has a Theatre Major from Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University and Fort Lewis College.
In her current role as a Fundraising Coordinator at Utah Navajo Health System, Sahar oversees the implementation and execution of the organization’s fundraising strategy. She develops fundraising proposals, prepares materials, maintains donor information, and stays updated with donor foundation trends. She also organizes fundraising events.
Sahar has also worked as a Consultant for the Iina Bihoo’aah Program, where she developed youth leadership and advocacy training curriculum, created online/social media strategies, and collaborated with various entities to increase program engagement. She has experience as a Video Media Producer at Utah Diné Bikéyah, where she filmed events, produced videos for social media platforms, and trained aspiring digital storytellers. She has also worked as a Freelance Video Journalist at Indian Country Today Media, conducting interviews and delivering video packages with an Indigenous perspective.
Additionally, Sahar has experience as a Producer/Media Specialist at Navajo Nation Film & TV, a TV Producer/Tribal Liaison & Outreach at First Nations Experience Television, and a Content Creator/Digital Marketing at City Launch PR. She has also worked on various commercial productions and has received awards such as the Telly Award and the Native American Journalist Association award.
Sahar’s skills include camera operation, video editing, sound editing, and proficiency in software such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut X, and Avid. She is known for her high-energy, thought leadership, and ability to work collaboratively across organizations.
She has worked as a producer in Film and Television for both Indigenous and Non Indigenous production companies. Having lived in Los Angeles, China, Philippines, and Italy and traveling though-out Asia for her career before returning to school at the University of Utah where she completed my Bachelors of Fine Art in Film and Media Studies gave her a world view outside of my upbringing growing up the Navajo Nation Reservation.
After obtaining her film degree, she started working immediately as Associate Producer for clients such Adobe and Microsoft. Sahar took that time establish herself before moving to Southern California to work for FNX TV | First Nations Experience TV to reach more of the Native American community and to continue her work as a producer and serve as the Liaison between Tribal Governments, FNX TV, PBS, NPR, and higher ed entities. Since then she has been freelancing for clients including Utah Diné Bikéyah, Urban Indian Center SLC, producing Studio 49, and The Hurting Song, a MMIW documentary. After returning to Salt Lake City she saw a found the perfect time to explore food sovereignty within the city she lived in and designed the Indigenous Garden at Esthers Garden SLC, under the direction of her father, Siamak.
She is a Member of the National Television Academy, Native American Journalist Association (NAJA), Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Utah Permaculture Guild, and Honor Society.
Navajo Nation TV
EDUCATION
University of Utah. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Film and Media Studies 2013-2015. Salt Lake City, UT
Arizona State University. Herberger College of Fine Arts, Theatre Major 2004-2006 Arizona State University, AZ
Fort Lewis College. Fine Arts – Theatre Major 2004-2006 Durango, CO
Hollywood Cinema Production Resources. 2008-2010 Los Angeles, CA
ON AIR CORRESPONDENT
Jaam E Jam International TV Live coverage of Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Dir. Edick Safarian, Beverly Hills CA 2009
Hollywood Buzz TV Red Carpet Premiere “Whatever Works” Hollywood, CA July 2009
TMG Films Coverage of the Sundance Film Festival, Red Carpet, Park City, UT January 2013
Sidewinder TV Coverage of the Slamdance Film Festival, Red Carpet, Park City, UT January 2016
International Experience: Frontier Education, International Exchange Program, Genoa, Italy May 2013 – August 2013 , May 2014- August 2014
Writer & Director: “Prison Powwow” Audio Postcard for Radio, Central Utah Correctional Facility, UT October 201
Public Relations: Design, create and manage promotions and Social ad campaigns and press releases at City Launch PR, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2015-2016
Awards: Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Finalist) 1996, Utah’s First Annual Pollution Prevention Commercial Contest (1st place) 1996
Sahar Khadjenoury 