Salim Akil / Biography

Salim is a native of Oakland, California. After working in a mortuary for 5 years and an out patient clinic for bi-polars, schitzophrenics and manic depressives for another 5, he decided to pursue a career in writing and directing. He wrote and co-produced the film _Drylongso (1999)_ which was featured in the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and the 1999 Berlin Film Festival. Salim started as a staff writer for Showtime's award-winning "Soulfood" and quickly worked his way up to series Executive Producer, on top of directing and writing several episodes. The show has just wrapped its final season and Salim is in the process of developing and writing his next feature film. He has worked as a Director on several other episodic TV series, including last year's two-part season finale of UPN's "Girlfriends."