About

Saira Umar is a rising screenwriter and creator, known for immersive and emotionally resonant stories that explore identity, morality, culture & family through a hopeful lens with whimsy. She specializes in the young adult (YA) and family friendly demographic, writing nuanced fantasy with heart that appeal to wide audiences while maintaining specificity and an authentic voice.

She has written for the PBS Kids animated series Skillsville (2025) and has been recognized by some of the industry's most competitive talent development programs. She participated in the Writers Guild Foundation's Writers Access Support Staff Training Program (2023) and the PBS Kids TPT Screenwriting Program (2021), as well as named semi-finalist for both the Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program (2024) and the Universal Animation Writers' Program (2021). In school, she also exemplified her skills in immersive storytelling by placing as a semi-finalist in the Walt Disney Imagineering Imaginations Design Competition (2019).

An active force in the animation industry, Saira serves in the executive leadership team at Asians in Animation (AIA), and was entrusted with developing and executive producing (showrunning) their first original animatic pilot, TEA LEAVES LAST (2025). This was through the Pilot Pre-Production Program, which she created as part of an educational lab for emerging talent to get hands-on, industry level experience. She also founded and leads the AIA Writers' Group Program, building a space for underrepresented writers to grow and gain experience and community.

Currently, she works in production at Marvel Animation, having professional industry experience since 2021, with previous credits on Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld (Netflix), Digman! (Comedy Central), and Kevin (Amazon Prime) at Titmouse Animation.  

As a Chinese, Burmese and Pakistani American with a interdisciplinary background in musical theater, fashion, visual arts, and prose, Saira brings a unique and multi-faceted perspective alongside a passionate, thoughtful working style to every project she touches.

As part of her quest to learn and experience many things, she has previously worked as a cancer research fellow for the National Institutes of Health, worked in the parks at Walt Disney World, created YouTube videos & podcasts, set designed for theater, been a middle & high school teacher, and auditioned for Broadway. When not working, she enjoys reading, mythology & world cultures, puzzles & escape rooms, food, video games, and crafting.
Features: