Biography

Sammie Astaneh is a producer of film, television, documentary and micro-series content with over 30 producing credits.

He has a BCom degree in finance from UBC's Sauder School of Business and received producer training from UCLA's Professional Program in Producing.

Sammie is one of the executive producers for the feature-length documentary film, STOLEN KINGDOM, which is widely considered one of the standout grassroots indie documentaries of 2026 -- with over 150 theatrical screenings across North America.

Sammie's BC-based production company Service Street Pictures accomplished the following related to vertical micro-series since spring 2025: commissioned to produce GoodShort's first project in Canada; developed, produced and delivered the first original Canadian project for ReelShort; produced the inaugural project for the new LA-based female-led microdrama platform Chera TV; formed a strategic partnership with an Indian-based production company to develop and produce global microdramas based on iconic Bollywood IP; consulting for top-tier talent management company Play Management to help broaden its representation roster to include leading microdrama directors across Canada and the USA; consulting for veteran airline distributor Captive Entertainment, which is the first company to bring microdramas to inflight entertainment; and advising and executive producing for Gennie Studio to help them secure renowned IP and produce hybrid AI micro-series projects.

His first feature film as a creative producer was the Canadian thriller EXILE, which had its world premiere at Whistler Film Festival in 2022 and US premiere at Big Apple Film Festival in 2023, starring Adam Beach (The Power of the Dog, Swan Song, Flags of Our Fathers) and Camille Sullivan (Hunter Hunter, Shelby Oaks). In early 2023, EXILE was acquired by Electric Entertainment for US distribution, Vortex Media for Canada and Nicely Entertainment for international.

Later in 2023, Sammie was attached as an executive producer on Peter Horgan's crime feature, HOW TO ROB, starring Scottish BAFTA-nominated Chinaza Uche (A Good Person, Silo, Nigerian Prince) and Josh Koopman (The Golden Scallop). It had its world premiere at IFF Boston and was acquired by Good Deed Entertainment's Cranked Up Films for North American distribution and Darkly for international.

In the summer of 2020, he was the lead producer on the spec holiday TV movie, LONESTAR CHRISTMAS, starring Marco Grazzini (Virgin River, Kim's Convenience), which was licensed by Lifetime in the US, Super Channel in Canada, Channel 5 in the UK, Nine Network in Australia, RTBF in Belgium and TV8 in Italy.

Sammie's 17 producing credits with Lighthouse Pictures include: the Netflix Original feature film, 1922 (Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Neal McDonough, Brian d'Arcy James), based on a Stephen King novella that had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest; Lifetime's BOY IN THE WALLS (Ryan Michelle Bathe), directed by Constance Zimmer (Entourage, Boston Legal); Lifetime's EVERY DAY IS CHRISTMAS (Toni Braxton, Michael Jai White); and Hallmark's HEARTS OF WINTER (Jill Wagner, Victor Webster).

Sammie is recognized as an international thought leader. Reflecting this industry influence, he has been invited as a featured speaker at prominent global markets, including Content Canada 2025, Content London 2025, Prime Time 2026, and the Access Canada Summit 2026.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous