Born in Dar-Es-Salam, Tanzania, in East Africa, Shafin Karim's family made the bold decision to immigrate to Canada in 1974, driven by the pursuit of a better life and a desire to escape the constraints of political dictatorship. This pivotal move would ultimately shape the trajectory of his life and career.
Shafin's academic pursuits initially led him to complete a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology, with ambitions to further his education by pursuing a master's degree in counseling and education. However, he soon found himself drawn back to his childhood passion for performance, and his academic plans were temporarily put on hold.
As Shafin delved deeper into the world of theatre, he experienced a series of successful productions that reignited his creative spark. This newfound enthusiasm ultimately led him to refocus his career towards the film and television industry. His big break came when he landed a role on the popular NBC series, Bionic Woman, opposite the talented Isaiah Washington, and later, he appeared in Disney's Tron 2: Legacy, alongside Garrett Hedlund.
Shafin's unique style is characterized by its quirky, heartfelt, soulful, and character-driven approach. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work in various locations across Canada, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Yellowknife, and has portrayed roles in Pashto, Arabic, and Indonesian languages.
Most recently, Shafin completed a lead role in the feature film, Red Snow, written and directed by 2018 Leo Award winner, Marie Clement. This dramatic adventure tells the story of 'Aman,' an Afghan translator caught between two worlds, who is determined to save his family from oppression and enslavement.
