Check Out Nasim Kiani’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nasim Kiani.

Hi Nasim, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Nasim Kiani is a writer, director, and producer. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Film Production from The Los Angeles Film School. A migrated American-Iranian, Nasim spent years practicing law in Iran, eventually discovering that being a lawyer is not her true passion. After migrating to the US, she enrolled in Phoenix College, where one of her instructors discovered her as a storyteller. It was there that Nasim accepted she could no longer ignore her love for storytelling, as her grandmother had planted it in her mind when she was a child during the war in the bomb shelter. Then she decided to become a filmmaker.

While at LAFS, Nasim wrote, directed, produced, and edited two feature scripts, seven short films, and one New Year’s show, which has brought her some awards, nominations, and screening on film festivals. She got her internship for the Cannes Film Festival with AMPAV in 2023, and the Academy Gold Rising internship program, production track, summer 2024.

She shot her first feature film, SHAKKAR, right after the Academy Program graduation, and received the best director award at 28 th annual ARPA International Film Festival, November 2025.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It took me a few years to choose what I truly want to be and to find a new path in a new land. Writing in English and working as a director and producer has been challenging, especially in a fast-paced environment where clear communication is essential. But I welcome this challenge and look forward to growing through it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve seen myself as a film director who is a writer and producer. Lately, many know me as the SHAKKAR director.
I’m proud to be a human- a privilege I’m grateful for-, and I view humanity as an advanced tool I’m still learning to use correctly.

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in war, with death and tension all around. But some things saved me the most. A culture of poems, and a grandmother, a unique storyteller, who created magical moments with her stories. She was my alchemist, turning stressful moments into sweet dreams in the bomb shelter. I was also fortunate to have a brave mother who let me try new things and let my creativity flourish, even with the small stones on the street. Last but not least is my sister, my true friend and partner in crime, who showed me how our footprint can affect other lives, even when we don’t know it, and helped me see myself more clearly.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasim_kiany/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasim-kiani-193aba59/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/NasimKiani

Image Credits
Marcus Alvarez
Blaine HaringtonII
Sasha Dylan Bell
Khachatur Danielyan
Ani Hovhannisyan
DustinMcWethy
Arka Photography