Biography: Mariam Khayat is an animation writer and producer. She holds an MFA degree in Animation and Digital Arts from the University of Southern California. She recently produced the animation shorts "The Menace from Above" which received the Best Animation Award from the Saudi FF and the Best International Student film from Silk Road FF, and "Saleeg", which opened the Saudi FF and premiered at Annecy Animation Festival. Mariam co-founded Cinepoetics Pictures, a film production studio where she’s currently producing animation projects. When she's not making films, Mariam is enjoying the Red Sea.