About
Jumai graduated from Harvard University with a B.A in Neurobiology, yet to the surprise of everyone decided to pursue a career in Film and TV. In 2021, she received an MFA in Film and TV Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
As a Director, she hopes to combine her love of science and art through film. She is passionate about genre filmmaking (sci-fi, fantasy, horror), and since she is a Muslim, Nigerian immigrant, she always strives to bring the stories and characters of underrepresented minorities to the screen. Her other interests include Writing, Animation, and NFTs.
She is a fellow in the inaugural Sundance Institute x Walt Disney Muslim Artist Fellowship program. In 2022, her script Cocoa Doll was selected for the Black List’s Muslim List and the WScripted Cannes Screenplay List.
In 2020, Jumai produced two animated short films. SIMULACRA, a live-action / 3D animation hybrid, won the Student Academy Award in the Alternative/Experimental category. Izzy's Demons, a hand-drawn 2D animated film, was shortlisted for the student BAFTAs.
She was selected for the inaugural Television Screenwriting Lab for Black Muslim Writers run by MPAC and The Blackhouse with her animated TV series “Layla and the Starship Afrotopia”.
Press
Sundance Institute, Disney Reveal First Muslim Artist Fellowship Cohort THR Announcement
Jumai Yusuf Named a Sundance Institute | The Walt Disney Company Muslim Artist Fellow Jaylit
Everything To Know about Short Film “The Eid Gift” Fann
The Muslim List presented by the Black List, MPAC Hollywood, and Pillars Fund Deadline Announcement
Mubi, WScripted 2nd Cannes Screenplay List Screen Daily Announcement
Black Muslim TV Writers Lab Press Release on TheWrap
VoyageLA Conversations with Jumai Yusuf Interview
Harvard ‘16 Artists Podcast Interview
Just Shoot It Podcast guest segment Jumai Live at Film School Ep 262, Ep 168, Ep 138, Ep 131
The Writer's Basement featured Guest Spot
Midwest Black Speculative Fiction Alliance Interview
AFROPUNK Article
All Things Africa Radio Interview