Samira Baei is a film editor and PhD student in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Oregon. Her research focuses on fully AI-generated short films and how they reshape audience expectations, perceptions of creativity, and the very definition of cinema in the era of algorithmic storytelling.

With over five years of hands-on experience across multiple stages of film production —including directing assistance, editing, and post-production—Samira has contributed to short films, documentaries, and television series. She has collaborated closely with directors to craft emotionally resonant and visually compelling narratives, often under tight deadlines and limited resources.

Integrating creative practice with critical inquiry, Samira’s academic work examines the aesthetics and politics of AI-generated media, posthuman authorship, and the future of cinematic labor. Her current research employs ethnographic and mixed-methods approaches to explore how audiences engage with and interpret fully AI-generated films.

At SOJC, she also serves as a Graduate Employee and Teaching Assistant, supporting courses in documentary filmmaking, gender, and media representation. This blend of research and hands-on filmmaking reflects her commitment to advancing both cinematic creation and meaningful scholarship.