Meet Naaj Harrabi | Comedian & Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Naaj Harrabi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Naaj, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Shepherdboy Entertainment is a Media Development house dedicated to innovative Auteurship Technology and storytelling in film, photography, stage, VR, and gaming. we are focused on indigenous talent from Africa and the Middle East. We seek to ignite auteurship and STORYTELLING in gaming, TV, cinema, and VR to the highest levels, globally.

Founded by Naaj Harrabi, whose vision of making art and entertainment technology accessible to everyone in his community in North Africa—inspired by his own experience growing in an indigenous amazigh tribe (Jlass) in a remote mountainous region with no access to electricity, internet, running water, and entertainment—drives his mission against historical creative marginalization and cultural appropriation of Africans, Berbers and Middle Easterners.

His path through leadership, media production, and major Entertainment institutions like Warener Bros, CONAN, School of Cinematic Arts (USC), Notre Dame Film & Theater (FTT), Warner Bros, SecondCity Chicago, to name a few, has shaped his craft and elevated his reach and network as a global entertainer and filmmaker.

Driven to make entertainment technology and art accessible in Africa and the MENA region, NAAJ’s work embodies a mission to empower and inspire through universal access to storytelling and production technology, reflecting a deep commitment to his roots and a vision for a globally connected entertainment landscape.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is deeply rooted in the intersection of two worlds – my origins as a shepherd boy from an Amazigh tribe in Tunisia’s mountains and my journey to becoming a filmmaker and comedian in Los Angeles. This unique background shapes everything I create, whether I’m performing stand-up, directing films, or producing content through ShepherdBoy Entertainment.
What sets me apart is my perspective as someone who grew up without electricity or running water, watching my first TV show on a black-and-white television powered by a car battery, to becoming a George Lucas Scholar at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. I bring authenticity to my work by drawing from both worlds – the rich oral traditions of my tribe and the technical excellence of modern filmmaking.
I’m most proud of how my journey has come full circle. Like Santiago in “The Alchemist,” I traveled across continents chasing my dreams, only to discover that my greatest treasure was in the stories and traditions I carried from home. Through my comedy specials like “Legal Alien” and my upcoming tour “ONE BUN MAN,” I blend humor with cultural insight, turning my experiences as a shepherd, immigrant, and artist into stories that connect with audiences worldwide.
Getting here wasn’t easy. Each step came with its own challenges – from learning English to adapting to new cultures across multiple continents. In Sfax, where my family moved for better opportunities, my father worked as a scrap dealer and my mother took various jobs to support our dreams. At the African Leadership Academy in South Africa, I faced language barriers and cultural adjustments. Even in America, breaking into entertainment as an African Muslim immigrant presented its own set of hurdles.
But these challenges became my material. Every struggle turned into a story, every setback into a punchline. Through my work at We-Youth Tunisia, which I co-founded at 15, I learned the power of media to amplify unheard voices. At Notre Dame’s Film and Theatre Department and Chicago’s Second City, I honed my craft while staying true to my roots. Each experience, from interning at CONAN to directing at the Debartolo Performing Arts Center, added layers to my storytelling.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that authenticity is your superpower. Your unique background isn’t something to overcome – it’s your strength. Through ShepherdBoy Entertainment, I’m working to create platforms for indigenous voices and stories that bridge cultures. Whether through comedy, film, or other creative projects, my goal is to share perspectives that make people both laugh and think.
I want the world to know that my brand is about more than entertainment – it’s about awe, cultural exchange and elite entertainment. It’s about showing that you can honor your roots while pursuing your dreams, and that sometimes the longest journeys lead you right back to where you started, but with new eyes to see the treasure that was there all along.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Q: If your best friend was visiting for a week, where would you take them?

Alright, here’s the ultimate LA week:
• Day 1: Tacos on Melrose. Nothing says “welcome” like street tacos!
• Day 2: Griffith Observatory and a hike up the back trail. Killer views and a great workout.
• Day 3: A run at Runyon Canyon with your Dog
• Day 4: Gettys, Oscar Museum – all things Hollywood, plus some cool film history.
• Day 5: Beach day at Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. Ice cream, boardwalk, and people-watching.
• Day 6: Dinner in Little Ethiopia or Yemeni Food in Anaheim for amazing flavors,
• Day 7: You guessed it – more tacos, movies, and hikes!

And if there’s time: maybe a live show, a comedy club night where I perform at the Hollywood Comedy,ThridWheel, Comedy Store. Just LA essentials!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, the coolest shepherd-girl (my mom) and most creative scrap dealer (my dad) who instilled in me the strength and resilience needed to embark on this journey. To every farmer, sheep herder, and griots in my village. The truest artists I ever met.

Growing up as a young shepherd in an Amazigh tribe in the mountains of North Africa, my story was shaped by the deep cultural traditions, music, and storytelling passed down by my community and my village. The way my village honored stories was the seed for my passion for storytelling.

One of the most influential books in my life has been The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Santiago’s journey resonated with me deeply; like him, I was a shepherd seeking my “pyramids,” which, for me, represented the American dream of becoming a storyteller in Los Angeles. And just like Santiago discovered that his true treasure was the wisdom and stories he gathered along the way, I, too, realized that the real wealth lies in my roots, my culture, and the traditions I carry from my homeland.

This journey has also led me to incredible places and people who have shaped my path—African Leadership Academy, where I connected with ambitious young leaders from all over the continent; Notre Dame’s Film and Theatre Department, which refined my craft and expanded my creative boundaries; and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where I learned to elevate my voice as a filmmaker. These institutions, communities, and the people within them—mentors, friends, and colleagues—played a pivotal role in my growth as a storyteller. Their support, encouragement, and belief in my potential allowed me to fully explore my passion and helped me bring my roots and experiences to audiences far beyond where I started. I am forever grateful for their presence in my story.

Website: https://www.thisisnaaj.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisnaaj/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/najharrabi/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sn7NbfcZFw

Other: https://www.shepherdboy.net/

Image Credits
Photographer 1: Perfect Mfashijwenimana
Photographer 2: Oscar Oscargapher