Ismail Khan

Ismail Khan is a screenwriter and director, born and raised in south-west Sydney, with Wailwan and Pakistani heritage. A graduate of AFTRS, Ismail’s masters film SUNNIES won the Capa Prize for best fictional short in Asia-Pacific and had its world premiere at Sydney Film Festival 2021, followed by screenings at academy accredited festivals Short Shorts Film Festival in Tokyo, Flickerfest and LA Shorts. SUNNIES also won the Australian Short Film Today Audience Award and the Nicholas Baudin Prize for Best Short Film at the 24th Festival des Antipodes in Saint Tropez.

In 2021, Ismail was one of six emerging filmmakers selected for a director’s attachment with Taika Waititi on THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER and later that year, directed his first episodes of scripted television on the kids’ drama/adventure series BARRUMBI KIDS for NITV/SBS. The series tells the story of two best friends growing up on country in a remote Northern Territory community.

In mid 2023 Ismail worked with Gracie Otto as director’s attachment on HEARTBREAK HIGH SEASON 2, shadowing Gracie on block one, as well as directing second unit for multiple scenes across season 2. After Heartbreak High, Ismail went on to direct his first episode of adult drama on season 4 of the STAN series BUMP, due to air boxing day 2023.