Farouk Kannout is a:

Writer
Game Developer
and more...

A digital garden of my best efforts.


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Farouk Kannout is an Arab-American freelance writer and cultural critic based in Chicago. He loves writing about film, television, video games, and how we make meaning from culture broadly.

His work has appeared in A.V. Club, Inverse, and Unwinnable, among others. In 2025, Farouk received special recognition as a "Writer to watch" from the Chicago Film Critics Association and Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Program.

In addition to being a writer, Farouk is a creative producer and award-winning game developer at the independent video game studio Play Underground Games! (PUG!), which he co-founded with a number of his closest friends. Together, they are currently developing a number of unannounced projects.
Contact:


Selected Works
Filmmaking

Assistant Director
“What’s Your Fantasy” by Podium Romance Audiobooks, 2023
Original Score, Assistant Director
“Kindred Spirits” by Timon Lyander, 2022
Original Score
“RESTART” by Michael Villalobos, 2020
Demo Reel
2019


Brand Dev

Alongside all his other creative work, Farouk has years of experience handling social media marketing, branding, public relations, and creative content for non-profit organizations, companies, sporting teams/events, and online magazines. He has worked diligently with teams from all around the world, focusing on how to increase outreach and engagement with target audiences in order to maintain brand awareness and increase outreach and engagement.

Farouk's work in this capacity has included photography/videography work, video editing, writing press releases, and posting social media content. 


Music

Gamers Unite - Farouk, Muwgi & tito kev Remix
Catdog 2023