Sarah Hassan is a multi-award-winning actress, producer and TV host. She is one of Africa’s most established actors and TV personalities.
She started acting at the age of 5 and became a household name when she played popular girl, Tanya in Citizen TV’s long-running high school drama Tahidi high, a debut role that earned her an award for Best Actress at the CHAT Awards twice in 2010 and 2011. Since then she has starred in numerous TV shows and films, produced a number of films as well as hosted various TV shows that have earned her multiple awards including Best Lead Actress 2014(Now That You’re here), Best Tv Host at the Kalasha Awards 2014(Discovery+ 254), Best East African Journalist 2015 at the Swahili Fashion week in Dar es salaam (Mashariki Mix and Maisha Max), Best Lead Actress at Kalasha Awards 2019(Plan B), Best Film at the AMVCA Awards in Nigeria 2019(Plan B), Best Film at the Kalasha Awards 2020(40 Sticks), Best Lead Actress in a film 2021(Just In Time), Best Lead Actress in a series 2021(Crime And Justice), Best Film 2021(Just In Time), Best Lead Actress in a TV Series 2023(Zari).
In January 2016, she moved to Los Angeles, California, for two and a half years to study and learn more about the film industry. While in Los Angeles, she wrote, produced, co-directed and acted in a short film, ‘The Company You Keep’ in 2018 that saw her bag 4 Best actress awards and 4 Best short film awards including Best short film and Best Actress at the LA Shorts Awards 2018 and Best Actress at the Top Shorts Awards in LA 2018.
Through her production company, Alfajiri Productions, Sarah also stepped more actively behind the camera producing the short film, ‘The Company you keep’ while in Los Angeles, the East African/West African romantic comedy feature film ‘Plan B’ that has now garnered over 6 Million organic views on Youtube, the short film ‘Reflections’, the East African/West African Family Comedy-Drama feature film, ‘Just In Time’ that premiered worldwide on Netflix as well as the Netflix and UNESCO short film ‘Anyango And The Ogre’ that premiered globally on the 29th of March 2023. She also served as lead producer for the Kenyan Thriller ’40 Sticks’ that is also streaming on Netflix and earned 8 awards at the Kalasha Awards including Best Film.
Sarah was ranked in the top 100 most influential young Kenyans in 2016, 2021 and 2023. She was also recognized in the Africa top 100 most impactful people in 2023 by Ranks Africa and the Africa 100 as well as the most influential actor in Kenya 2021 by Pulse Kenya. Aside from that, Sarah Hassan holds a bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science and is the founder and creative director of Alfajiri Productions.
Anyango And The ogre is a Kenyan short film wand a part of the Netflix-Unesco series “African Folktales, reimagined” with short films from 6 different countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria and Mauritania.
Produced by Sarah Hassan under Alfajiri productions and written & directed by the talented Voline Ogutu, the short film premiered worldwide on Netflix in March 2023 as part of the African Folktales reimagined anthology series.
Logline: A woman and her three children seek solace in a folktale as they attempt to escape the abuse inflicted on them by her husband.
This police procedural and legal drama is both Kenya’s first Showmax Original and Showmax’s first co-production with global broadcaster CANAL+.
Set in Nairobi, Crime And Justice stars Sarah Hassan and Alfred Munyua as Detective Makena and Detective Silas, the Nairobi Metropol Police Detectives at the heart of the show.The eight part series follows one ripped-from-the-headlines case per episode, all the way to the court room verdict.
The story of a good mother and good woman, Zora(Sarah), struggling to give her child the best possible life in a society that is against her.
Sarah served as lead producer and lead actress in this East African/West African Family Comedy-Drama that is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix.
SYNOPSIS:
Three worlds collide when a local bookstore manager, Muthoni, is forced to host her witty 11 year old witty niece and the arrival of an unexpected next door guest.
Sarah wrote, produced and co-directed the short film ‘Reflections’
SYNOPSIS:
A troubled mind reflects on a past incident
Sarah Hassan served as Lead Producer for the Kenyan thriller film ’40 Sticks’ which is currently streaming on Netflix.
SYNOPSIS:
A film about A group of prisoners trapped in a crashed prison bus strive to stay alive when they realize there is a mysterious killer lurking in the shadows.
Sarah Hassan served as lead producer and lead actress for this East African/West African romantic comedy.
SYNOPSIS:
Lisa Waweru (Sarah Hassan), a broke and struggling stylist gets brutally dumped by her long term boyfriend. After a drinking spree at the club, and a one night stand with a mysterious guy, 5 months later, now pregnant, she discovers this mysterious guy to be Dele Coker (Daniel Etim Effiong) a very successful and celebrated Nigerian CEO expanding in East Africa.
Lisa is convinced that he is the father of her baby, and so she and her best friend Joyce (Kate Kamau Karanja), must come up with the perfect plan to find him and have him pay his dues. This must change their lives forever!
(2010)
This is an international film about the kidnapping of a young girl and a father who never gave up on finding her. Sarah was privileged to play an NGO official who gave advice to the heart broken father anytime he needed it or needed to hear it. This was Sarah’s first time shooting on film and working with amazing talent from all over the world.
(2014)
In this amazing drama, Sarah plays the role of Carol, a naive, blonde, money loving but emotionally abused woman married to an egotistical, manipulative man.
The show revolves around Carol, her two best friends and their everyday drama and struggles. This show had an incredible cast and crew and was nominated at the AMVCA 2016 in the category of Best TV series.
A short film about a wife in an abusive marriage who tries to get out despite the dire consequences.
(2013-2014)
In this MNET drama, Sarah Hassan embodies the role of Leah, a down to earth, very bright and talented newspaper editor who rises in the midst of inter company war, being framed and personal issues to become CEO of one of the top Newspaper companies in Kenya. A show with great cast and crew that got a nomination in the best TV series category at the AMVCA 2016.
(2007-2012)
This was Sarah’s first big break on TV acting as a naive, down to Earth Rich girl in the popular infortainment school drama. The role saw her scoop two best actress awards at the 2010 and 2011 CHAT Awards.
(2012)
In this Saga, Sarah played a big mouth lawyer who bullied all her clients but gets away with it because of always solving their problems legally or illegally.
(2013)
This is a hilarious comedy revolving around the sexual habits of young kenyans. Sarah was nominated in the supporting best actress category at the Kalasha awards 2014 for her role as Chichi in this comedy.
(2014)
This a comedy where Sarah plays a pregnant psycho killer who battles her conscience as to whether to turn a new leaf but be on the run from the the terrible boss or continue working for the boss and bring a child in to the world of chaos.
(2014)
This a short film that was shot for the 48 hour film challenge 2014 that saw the cast and crew get together, write a script, shoot, edit and submit it in 48 hours. the short film won BEST FILM and Sarah Hassan walked away with the BEST ACTRESS awards.
(2007)
This was Sarah’s first professional shoot encounter immediately after high school, she played a young girl who’s boyfriend was snatched away from her by her mother. a twisted family drama that saw the start of her career.
(2011)
In this Emotional roller coaster, Sarah Hassan was cast as a young girl who had been sexually abused by the step father, ran away from home to become a street kid and fend for herself in the harsh streets of Nairobi.
(2011)
Hollywood acting coach, Neil Schell cast Sarah alongside other acclaimed actors and actresses in this medical drama as an over emotional nurse who gets involved in all her patients lives creating all sorts of chaos as she tries to help everyone.
In 2021, UNESCO and Netflix launched a competition for the production of short films on the theme of “African Folk Tales Reimagined,” open to creators from the continent which attracted over 2,000 submissions. They were narrowed down to 6 finalists from Kenya, Uganda, Mauritania, Tanzania, South Africa and Nigeria.
The short films premiered globally on 29th March 2023 and had it’s launch in Nairobi Kenya. Sarah Hassan hosted and moderated a panel with all the 6 directors as well as the head of film at Netflix.
In attendance was all the 6 directors from the different countries, executives from both Netflix and UNESCO as well as the host Kenya film commission and top film producers, actors, directors and enthusiasts from Kenya.
Sarah Hassan hosted and moderated the launch of the Netflix and wildlife Works Kasigau Redd+ Project at the magical Kenya travel expo in Nairobi, Kenya in October 2022.
In attendance was: The Netflix team, the everland team and the wildlife Works team, Kenya Tourism Board, the magical Kenya team and Kenya wildlife service, some of whom had flown from different parts of the world to be able to join the launch and also made the documentary possible as well as panel members from the organisations on ground.
REDD+ stands for: REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM DEFORESTATION AND DEGRADATION. This is a United Nations-backed framework that aims to curb climate change by stopping the destruction of forests. Other than burning fossil fuels, the 2nd biggest cause of climate change is destruction of forests.
(2012-2015)
Sarah hosts This Mnet production that showcases the beauty that is East Africa, from the beautiful destinations to amazing personalities, fashion, food, lifestyle and everything nice that represents East Africa. Further more she hosts it in Swahili, the beautiful language that represents the culture of East Africa.
(2014-2015)
Discovery +254 is a magazine-style television program, airing on NTV, which seeks to entertain, inspire, inform, and connect with audiences across Kenya. The program allows young people, parents, and communities to see what can be accomplished with a good education and hard work, featuring celebrity guests, youth reporters and inspiring stories from across Kenya.
Sarah co-hosts this amazing show with Charles Ouda and on the 30th October 2015, they were voted the BEST TV HOSTS at the prestigious Kalasha awards
(2015)
This is a spin off of Mashariki mix where i co-host this incredible East African lifestyle show with Jokate mwegelo from Tanzania bringing together East Africa and showcasing its beauty to the world.
(2013)
In 2013, Sarah got the opportunity to go to India and shoot the Toss white advert which was an amazing experience thanks to one of the biggest advert agencies in Kenya, The Advertising Company.
(2013-2015)
This is one of the most popular shows in Kenya where Sarah hosts an amazing one hour show featuring some of the best wedding in Kenya giving inspiration to engaged couples looking for ideas for their big day as well as showcasing the beauty of love.
Growing up, I was always in plays, sports, math clubs, science contests, lets just say I was an active kid, when I got out of high school, I wanted to study math as that had been my strongest suit and Act because that was something I loved to do. I was blessed to be able […]
Hello, Welcome to my brand new site. My name is Sarah Hassan and if you go to the about me page, then you’ll get to know a little more about me. Its been a long time coming and finally my site is up (yaaaayyy!), i’m very grateful to Ian and Tim for making this happen. […]
Growing up, I was always in plays, sports, math clubs, science contests, lets just say I was an active kid, when I got out of high school, I wanted to study math as that had been my strongest suit and Act because that was something I loved to do. I was blessed to be able to do that, I studied actuarial science in JKUAT Karen, acted and hosted TV shows alongside many amazing, talented colleagues and friends in East Africa.
From when I was young, in school and was able to understand film and TV, I always wanted to go to Film school specifically New York Film Academy in Los Angeles to learn and understand more, but some dreams take longer to accomplish.
Immediately I started to work, I started saving up for school fees and two years ago, I started filling out my application. Every other day I used to look at my application and work harder. Early last year my fiancé, who was my boyfriend then encouraged me to send in my application and I got accepted(YAAAAAAAYYY), I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without my mum, dad and my entire family who have always been there for me, supporting me every step of the way, not forgetting my closest friends, yes… you know who you are.
To top it off when Martin, the love of my life, the amazing man who has supported me in everything I do, asked me to marry him, he also surprised me by getting two tickets to L.A, his and mine, he decided to move with me as I study and try to pursue my dream and I love him more for that.
It is a scary, exciting dream. A new chapter in my life and I am so grateful to God for everything he has blessed me with so far. 2015 was an amazing year, winning Best Host for Discovery +254 at the Kalasha awards, walking away with best journalist of the year at the Swahili Fashion week, getting to work with the amazing Jokate Mwegelo from Tanzania on Maisha Max, the love of my life Mr. Martin Dale, proposing to me, and getting accepted to the prestigious New York Film Academy.
So here I am, in L.A, about to begin this amazing journey, hoping for the best as I go back to school to study what I love.
Thanks for the support and Much love to you all 🙂
“Life is about taking chances, trying new things, having fun, making mistakes and learning from it”
Hello,
Welcome to my brand new site. My name is Sarah Hassan and if you go to the about me page, then you’ll get to know a little more about me. Its been a long time coming and finally my site is up (yaaaayyy!), i’m very grateful to Ian and Tim for making this happen.
The website will make it easier for anyone who wants to contact me in regards to my line of work. On top of that I get a lot of young people asking for advice on a lot of things from the tv industry to fashion and this will make it easier to reach out to me and pick my brain on what i know.
The launch of my website comes at a time when i start a new chapter in my life, more on this to follow….
Enjoy!
info@sarahhassan.com
