Stories That Matter
Fred (left) and Ron Najor in the CN podcast studio.
‘Adjunct’ showcases filmmaker Ron Najor’s wide ranging talents
By Sarah Kittle
Ron Najor may not be a household name—yet—but within the world of independent film, he’s earned a reputation for telling deeply human, heartfelt, multi-layered stories.
Born into a Chaldean-American family and raised among the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses and tight-knit community ties, Najor has taken a different path: film. His most recent work, Adjunct, showcases his talents not only as a filmmaker, but also as a writer, director, and actor—all while telling a story rooted in personal struggle and cultural authenticity.
Recently, I had the pleasant experience of sitting down with Ron in the CN podcast studio, along with his uncle and early supporter, Fred Najor. The conversation peeled back the layers behind Adjunct and offered a raw and insightful look into the career of a filmmaker shaped by his heritage, hardships, and humor.
From Sundance to the Classroom
Ron Najor’s breakout moment came in 2012 with I Am Not a Hipster, which he produced under the aptly named Uncle Freddy Productions—a nod to his uncle Fred, who provided the financial backing that made the project possible.
“That was really the start,” Najor recalls. “We shot it with friends and family, and it got into Sundance. That changed everything for me.”
The following year, he produced Short Term 12, starring then-unknowns Brie Larson and Rami Malek. That film went on to win both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2013 South by Southwest Film Festival.
Despite these early successes, Najor found himself back in academia, teaching as an adjunct professor—work that was meaningful but precarious. “After Short Term 12, I started teaching part-time just to make ends meet,” he said. “I was even driving for Uber. One day I thought, what if a student saw me doing that? That became the seed for Adjunct.”
A Film That Hits Home
Adjunct, which premiered earlier this year, follows Amer Yousif, an English professor, struggling writer, and part-time Uber driver—all roles that mirror Najor’s own life. It’s a story about ambition, identity, family pressure, and survival in a system stacked against the underdog.
“Is Amer me? Not exactly,” Najor explained. “But a lot of it is based on my life. And the rest is drawn from other adjuncts I interviewed. I wanted it to feel authentic.”
Authenticity is the film’s superpower. Not only are the stories real, so are the people: many characters are played by Najor’s actual family members and former students. The family restaurant depicted in the film is Sahara—an actual family-owned restaurant in San Diego. The game night scene, full of laughter and gentle teasing, is pulled directly from his real family’s weekly Wishliana gatherings.
Even his student-turned-friend and executive producer makes an appearance as an HR representative in the film—a subtle yet powerful nod to the idea that mentorship is a two-way street.
Layered Realities
Beyond its humor and charm, Adjunct is a poignant critique of America’s adjunct system and the institutional inequities that underlie it.
“Being an adjunct means you most likely won’t have healthcare, no pension, and no job security,” Najor said. “You’re constantly trying to prove yourself while living paycheck to paycheck. The film industry can be the same way.”
One particularly resonant moment in the film comes when Amer discovers that he’s expected to serve on a university panel for free, while a newly hired full-time professor, not yet in the system, is paid a stipend. That, Najor says, is taken directly from real life.
“People don’t realize how common that is,” he said. “And it’s not just about money—it’s about being valued.”
Chaldean Identity
Though Adjunct never explicitly states Amer’s ethnicity beyond Middle Eastern, it’s unmistakably Chaldean in its spirit. From the family dynamics to the constant push-pull between tradition and individual ambition, the cultural cues are rich and relatable.
“There’s always pressure to go into the family business,” Najor said. “That’s a huge part of our culture. But I went a different route.”
That tension between forging your own path and honoring where you come from is a central theme of Adjunct—and of Najor’s life. “Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choices,” he admitted. “But I’ve always had my family’s support, especially from Uncle Fred, who helped launch my career.”
Fred Najor, sitting beside him in the interview, beamed with pride. “We always knew Ron was going to do something special,” he said. “He makes films that tell a story. Real stories. Not just explosions and gimmicks.”
For Najor, filmmaking is a vehicle for honesty. “Whenever I talk to students or mentor young filmmakers, they always say, ‘You’re the most honest person we’ve talked to about this business.’ And I think that’s important.”
Still, despite its heavy themes, Adjunct isn’t a lecture—it’s a story told with warmth and humor. “I want people to laugh,” Najor said. “I want them to feel something, to relate to the characters.”
Though Najor now works full-time as an executive at a film production company—yes, he finally has healthcare—he’s still developing new projects as a producer and director. His recent production, Lucky Lu, premiered at Cannes and screened in Toronto, proving that he continues to evolve while staying grounded in storytelling that matters.
“I’ve got a few ideas brewing,” he said with a smile. “But I’m not rushing it. I want the next one to be just as personal.”
When asked what message he hopes audiences take away from Adjunct, Najor paused before answering: “Take a swing. Believe in yourself. And hopefully, like me, you have a family that’s got your back.”
Whether you’re part of the Chaldean community or simply someone who’s ever questioned the path you’re on, Adjunct is a film that speaks with honesty, heart, and humor. And in Ron Najor, we have a storyteller worth listening to.
Adjunct is now available to rent or purchase on Apple, Google Play, and Amazon. And yes—there may be a special screening coming soon at CCF West.