He found new employment as an usher and janitor at Moša Pijade, the Bosnian Cultural Centre in Tuzla, moving his family there.

Young Mehanović often visited Moša Pijade and was inspired by the work of theatre companies from Eastern Europe and Russia.

He established JLS Avantgarde Theatre company, developing as a director, learning together with his actors and creating groundbreaking plays.

The following year, he wrote and directed the short film 'The Way We Played', about two boys from different religious backgrounds at the beginning of the Bosnian war.

Samir made his TV debut directing for BBC Artworks in 2008 with 'Class Enemy: A Message from Sarajevo', a 30-minute documentary completed within a two-month schedule.

During 2014-2018 Mehanovic filmed/directed/produced 'Through Our eyes', a film about Syrian refugees that premiered April 2018 at the Bertha Dochouse at Curzon Bloomsbury London and also was screened throughout UK in cinemas.