Shayda was hand-selected to be mentored by two powerhouse film directors, Martin Campbell (CASINO ROYALE) and Catherine Hardwicke (TWILIGHT). Shayda worked alongside Hardwicke over four years, through multiple projects and a range of formats. Last year, she shadowed Campbell on his action-thriller film MEMORY, starring Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce and Monica Bellucci. Recently, Shayda worked as Co-Producer on the series DON'T LOOK DEEPER for Roku, starring Don Cheadle and Emily Mortimer, and the Sony Pictures Gina Rodriguez-led feature film, MISS BALA. She has a breadth of experience in different formats - from independent web series and short film to studio features and primetime network television. One of her strongest attributes is her keen sense of script structure and development. She understands the push to make a film possible, to stretch a budget, and expand a world to create a compelling narrative. Shayda is a natural problem-solver, motivator, and brainstormer. An advocate of feminist narratives, she focuses on stories that disrupt mainstream expectations of female characters and long-held presupposed gender roles. At present, Shayda just completed a Sci-Fi/Action short film she directed, ID EST, currently working through the 2024 festival circuit. Additionally, she recently delivered the web series, IMPOSTER, where she directed all six episodes. IMPOSTER is also screening in festivals with 20 Official Selections and 10 Award Wins. Her work has been featured in Hollyshorts Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Mammoth Film Festival, Another Hole in the Head and on CNN, amongst others. Additionally, she was selected by Women In Film’s (WIF) Mentorship Program for the 2022 Director’s Circle. Shayda holds an M.F.A with a concentration in Directing and Producing from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and an undergraduate degree from UGA’s Grady School of Communication. She is enthusiastically a dog person, but that might be because her partner is quite allergic to cats… and peanuts. Shayda splits time between LA and Atlanta with said allergy-ridden partner and their pup, Knox, where she develops scripts, makes movies and only occasionally sneaks Peanut M&Ms.