Actor | Filmmaker | Writer
Saladin White II is a filmmaker and actor born and raised in the great city of Philadelphia. His creative practice blends art with community and, at its core, is grounded in Radical Love and Radical Access. As a Black artist, he stands on the shoulders of many who came before him, especially the Philadelphia artists from Freedom Theatre, where he began training as a performer at six years old and honed his skills as a Community storyteller.
Saladin continued his studies at Point Park University, studying acting and theater directing. He later deepened his artistic practice at Columbia University, earning an MFA in Film with a focus on Directing and Writing. Saladin has written, directed, and produced dozens of short films. His thesis film, Muscle Memory, screened at Academy-qualifying film festivals and received the National Board of Review Grant. His next film, whole·some, was supported by Panavision's New Filmmaker Grant. Saladin has written various works, ranging from short films to feature-length projects. His feature film, Blacked Out, received development support from the Catwalk Arts Residency and the Independent Public Media Fund. Currently, he is writing a new feature with his writing partner, Lexx Truss. He also produces short-form work and acts as a teaching artist for the first time, justice-impacted and underrepresented storytellers.
The foundation of Saladin's creative practice revolves around a deep connection to the soul—what he defines as a beating heart that cannot always be seen but can always be felt. His work breaks free from traditional structures, aiming to strip down, rebuild, and redefine dominant narratives with soul at the heart of his stories.