Growing up in the suburbs of northeast Ohio, since the age of two, Asif Akbar knew exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life and was inspired by his father to follow in his footsteps within the entertainment industry. Asif's favorite hobby as a child with newfound technology in the early 90's was making his own movies using a home handy cam and editing tape-to-tape video. During some of his childhood summer months, Asif often made trips to his native country of Bangladesh to take part in his father's professionally produced productions in front of and behind the camera, that allowed him to get hands-on practical experience on set. During his years at Valley Forge High School, Asif continued to work as a young actor and model in front of the camera for international and domestic productions. He was also top in his class in the Radio & Television Production program for two years... learning and working on local T.V. shows as a director, producer, writer, cinematographer and editor. During his Junior and Senior years, these experiences prompted him to contact the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to get media credentials to attend and produce his own show during the 79th Academy Awards Red Carpet events. Asif graduated high school in 2007 with the county's Rotary Club Award for high achievements in the Radio & Television Career and Technical Program and represented the Parma City School District, competing in the state finals of Skills USA in Columbus, Ohio. He was also selected to be the Senior Class Speaker during graduation. After high school, Asif made the move to Los Angeles at the age of 18 in 2007 to pursue his studies at Columbia College Hollywood for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema and Television Productions, with an emphasis in directing. He made his first directorial full-length feature film "My Foreign Desh" in 2007, which premiered at the New York International Film and Video Festival in December 2008. Asif's award winning and well-acclaimed historical and controversial documentary film "Top Priority: The Terror Within" premiered at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills on May 16th, 2012 with a theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles and became a contender on the Oscar's short list for 2012. Asif recently directed several TV pilots and produced three films through 2013 and 2014, including the international feature film "Unknown Love" set to release in over 120 Bangladesh theaters nation wide this upcoming Jauary 2015. The road he chose led him to establish a very diverse range of experience working on several music videos, commercials, short films, TV shows, feature films and documentaries over the years under the wing of many well recognized and respected veterans in the global Film and TV industry.
Family lives in Louisiana.
Studied Radio and Television Production for two years in high school before attending Columbia College Hollywood for a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Cinema and Television Productions with an emphasis on film Directing.
Completed his first 45 minute short film as a director, writer, producer, editor and actor at the age of 11, with his friends as a childhood hobby.
Graduated from Barbizon Modeling School of Cleveland Ohio at the age of 13.
Starred as an actor in many international TV dramas and series in Bangladesh, during his mid teenage years.
Hosted his own show on the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards in 2007 and 2008.
Played the Prince at the age of 14, in a play version of Cinderella at the Parma Heights Community Theater in Ohio.
