Meet Gabriella.
Gabriella Aren is an screenwriter, actress, and producer whose work fuses heart, humor, and humanity to create deeply resonant films. Born and raised in New York to Iraqi-Armenian and Italian immigrant parents, Gabriella's multicultural upbringing shapes her unique voice, imbuing her projects with emotional depth and authenticity.
As the founder of Happy Ghost Studios, Gabriella leads a creative movement dedicated to reimagining modern cinema. Together with her brother and creative partner, Nicholas Asad Aren, she champions a slate of bold, genre-spanning films—dynamic dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and adrenaline-fueled action features—that aim to entertain while leaving a cultural imprint. Happy Ghost Studios is also rooted in a mission to spotlight underrepresented voices, with a special focus on celebrating the rich stories of Middle Eastern communities. With a passion for reviving the magic of the golden era of action comedies, Gabriella brings fresh energy and perspective to filmmaking.
Gabriella's love for performance began in her teens at HB Studio in NYC, where she first experienced the transformative power of storytelling. She honed her craft as a BFA Drama graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She trained at the Atlantic Acting School and Stonestreet Studios, with a concentration in film production and on-camera performance. This rigorous foundation shaped her as a performer and storyteller, giving her the tools to create characters and worlds that are both grounded and timeless.
At the crossroads of art and industry, Gabriella also studied at NYU Stern School of Business, specializing in entertainment, media, and technology. This dual background as a classically trained artist and business strategist gives Gabriella a rare ability to craft films as commercially compelling as they are creatively daring.
Gabriella is a proud member of New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), where she is a member of their Next Wave Group, an initiative devoted to developing and supporting emerging creators, as well as Women in Film Los Angeles, PANO: NYC Women Filmmakers, The Women's Network, and YWCA USA. She finds inspiration in working alongside other filmmakers, reshaping the industry's future.
Through Happy Ghost Studios and her creative pursuits, Gabriella strives to build a cinematic landscape that inspires joy, reflection, and connection. Happy Ghost's current slate of films in development are intimate and universal, reflecting storytelling with a deep understanding of what moves people—and why it matters.
Explore Gabriella's Work
For reels, headshots, and more, visit the Media section. Stay tuned for upcoming projects and exciting announcements from Happy Ghost Studios.