About

Saira Umar is a writer, creator, and performer 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 in the government 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.

Credits

Skillsville
PBS Kids
Writer
Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld
Netflix/Titmouse
Production Assistant
Digman!
Comedy Central/Titmouse
Production Assistant
Tea Leaves Last
Asians in Animation
Executive Producer/Supervising Director

aCCOLADES

Disney TV Writing Program
Semi-Finalist, 2024
Writers' Guild Foundation Writer's Access Support Staff Training Program
Participant, 2023
Unlock Her Potential Mentorship
Participant, 2023
Universal Animation Writing Program
Semi-Finalist, 2020
WIA Mentorship Circle
Development with Nickelodeon,
​Spring 2021
Creative Futures Collective Mentorship
Participant, 2022
PBS Kids TPT Screenwriting Program
​Participant, 2021
Walt Disney Imaginations Imagineering Competition
Semi-Finalist 2021
Children's Media Association Mentorship
Participant, 2022

PRESS

Writers Guild Foundation Reveals 2023 Writers’ Access Support Staff Training Program Participants - Deadline.com

Saira Umar on Asians in Animation's pilot animatic, Tea Leaves Last - ToonBoom 

Asians in Animation, "Tea Leaves Last" Animatic Pilot & Breaking into the Industry | with Saira Umar - Artale (Podcast)

Amazing Asians in the Arts: Saira Umar - Cre8sian Project

Meet Saira Umar - BoldJourney

The Color of Motion - Saira Umar On Animation: From Production Assistant To Screenwriter - Eps. 140 - The Color of Motion (Podcast)

Meet Saira Umar | Writer & Artist - Shoutout LA Feature

Titmouse Feature

Asian Queens in Animation Feature

Asians in the Arts Emerging Artist Showcase

Rise Up Animation Spotlight
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Announcing Our 2021 Class Of Mentees - For Creative Girls