James Shani
- Producer
James Shani is an Iranian-American film producer, financier and the founder of Rich Spirit, an independent production and distribution company launched in 2024 to support the release of auteur-led films that challenge contemporary culture with humanity and high craft.
Rich Spirit's first acquisition and co-release, The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, was released worldwide on November 11th, and received two Oscar-nominations. The company's follow-up acquisition is Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, which Shani acquired from A24 and Participant Media at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Shani has also financed and produced short films + music videos in collaboration with the world's most boundary-pushing musicians including Lady Gaga, Tyler the Creator, John Legend, H.E.R, Nas, Snoh Aalegra, and many others, earning two VMA nominations along the way.
Rich Spirit's first acquisition and co-release, The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, was released worldwide on November 11th, and received two Oscar-nominations. The company's follow-up acquisition is Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, which Shani acquired from A24 and Participant Media at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
Shani has also financed and produced short films + music videos in collaboration with the world's most boundary-pushing musicians including Lady Gaga, Tyler the Creator, John Legend, H.E.R, Nas, Snoh Aalegra, and many others, earning two VMA nominations along the way.
