Ziyaad Haniff — what can't he do?

ZIYAAD HANIFF

Years Active:

2015 -

Practice:

Digital Storyteller, Creative Director, Film Director, Actor, Art Facilitator, Writer, Photographer, Strategist, Designer, Consultant, Creative Producer, Dot Connector, Project Manager, UI/UX Designer, Event Producer, Partnerships Coordinator, Freelancer, Founder, Multidisciplinary Artist

what can't he do?

Ziyaad Haniff is a Creative Director & Digital Storyteller based in Toronto, Canada. During his trouble-making youth, he was often described as “distracted and a distraction”, causing his parents to enrol him in an arts camp to preoccupy him. Now, he jumps across various artistic outlets, challenging the creative industries with unconventional ideas, and garnering attention for marginalized communities.

As a multidisciplinary artist, his diverse creative experiences inform and amplify one another: he graduated as a Theatre and New Media major through a joint program between the University of Toronto and Centennial College; spent years contributing to music publications, including HotNewHipHop and Ones To Watch; accidentally became a sought-out photographer; used his random collection of talents to consult for startups; and eventually brought his narrative and visual skills together to direct in the film industry. In short, Ziyaad helps creative people do creative things.

Despite his extensive creative and professional experience, Ziyaad’s opportunities were largely self-orchestrated. Meandering through the creative industries, he often notes, “I was a mentor far before I was a mentee”, and as such, has a strong community focus of ‘opening doors’ for others. Through his efforts as an arts facilitator, his goal is to reduce the barriers to entry for sustainability in the industry by creating & sharing space. He’s participated in conversations and led workshops with emerging talent from organizations like the University of Toronto, Humber's Centre for Creative Business Innovation, Scarborough Made, Women's Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre, Friends from the Endz, and Kin + Care.

Supported by his creative collective Storied, and the resources of his company Team Ziyaad, the titular artist has spent the last decade orchestrating visuals for emerging artists through to established enterprises. Collaborators looking to work alongside him would join world-class talent such as Warner Music Group, Miguel, Just For Laughs, Sony Music, and Hasan Minhaj.