ABOUT & BIO
Khalim Jacob (b. 1995, Buffalo, NY) is an experimental visual artist, producer, and filmmaker whose work spans photography, film, and event curation. His journey began at age nine when his late grandmother gifted him an old Polaroid camera, sparking a lifelong love for visual storytelling and providing a safe space for self-expression.
By 17, Khalim committed to his craft, enrolling in his first photography course in high school where he learned both image-making and darkroom techniques. Over the next decade, he developed his voice independently—collaborating with local artists on music covers and editorials, and shaping a distinctive, experimental style. His work focuses on portraying Black and Brown communities beyond narratives of trauma, instead amplifying complexity, beauty, and joy.
Khalim’s photography has been featured in Essence, Shoutout LA, and Brooklyn Vegan, and was on view in a group exhibition at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in July-August 2025. In 2021, he self-published his debut photobook, Continuum. Expanding into film, he wrote, directed, and produced his first short, Silent Shifts (2024). To premiere the film and uplift other emerging filmmakers, Khalim founded and produces 716 & Art, an annual independent film festival in Buffalo, NY, presented in partnership with BICA and Ujima Co.
As a producer, Khalim has organized and executed a range of creative experiences, including a pop-up gallery, a rave, and a social happy hour with live music. He also co-produced and moderated a panel discussion on the intersection of creative expression and sustainability—exploring how artists define their voice, navigate vulnerability, and build sustainable lives through their work. The panel featured Elyse Fox, A.A. Rashid, Edreys Wajed, Stevie Skytel, and DNTWATCHTV.
By 17, Khalim committed to his craft, enrolling in his first photography course in high school where he learned both image-making and darkroom techniques. Over the next decade, he developed his voice independently—collaborating with local artists on music covers and editorials, and shaping a distinctive, experimental style. His work focuses on portraying Black and Brown communities beyond narratives of trauma, instead amplifying complexity, beauty, and joy.
Khalim’s photography has been featured in Essence, Shoutout LA, and Brooklyn Vegan, and was on view in a group exhibition at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center in July-August 2025. In 2021, he self-published his debut photobook, Continuum. Expanding into film, he wrote, directed, and produced his first short, Silent Shifts (2024). To premiere the film and uplift other emerging filmmakers, Khalim founded and produces 716 & Art, an annual independent film festival in Buffalo, NY, presented in partnership with BICA and Ujima Co.
As a producer, Khalim has organized and executed a range of creative experiences, including a pop-up gallery, a rave, and a social happy hour with live music. He also co-produced and moderated a panel discussion on the intersection of creative expression and sustainability—exploring how artists define their voice, navigate vulnerability, and build sustainable lives through their work. The panel featured Elyse Fox, A.A. Rashid, Edreys Wajed, Stevie Skytel, and DNTWATCHTV.
