My Journey into Filmmaking

My passion for storytelling sparked in fourth grade when two friends and I put on a yearly sketch show for our entire school. Though it only lasted two years, it felt like a lifetime to us. Yet, despite my love for the stage, my family saw a different path, one where pursuing art wasn’t an option. In a society governed by gender apartheid, they steered me away from town theatre and toward a more "sensible" career: medicine. Like any good Middle Eastern daughter, I followed suit, or so it seemed.

In 2011, I left my scripted life behind, moving from Iran to Canada with one idea in mind: to conquer the world of Western medicine. But fate had other plans. A series of transformative experiences led me to a film course at Emily Carr University, and just like that, my life shifted. Here, miles away from anyone who might hold me back, I became the director of my own story. Finally, I could create narratives on my own terms, and I felt like I had found a home.

Filmmaking captivates me like nothing else, blending all the elements of art, storytelling, and emotion into one potent medium. As I stand behind the camera today, I know the young girl on a farm in Iran would never have imagined her wildest dreams coming to life in this way.

Since those early days, my work has been recognized across the globe. My first feature, One Must Wash Eyes, won Best Canadian Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Debut Director and received nominations and mentions at festivals like the Leo Awards and OFFA. My short documentary, From…, has been screened at ten national and international film festivals.

I am excited to connect and collaborate, whether as a producer, writer, or director, to bring bold, compelling stories to life.