I am Farzad Khoshdast, a documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, senior video editor, and photographer based in Strasbourg, France, with over 20 years of experience directing, editing, and producing documentary and commercial films. I have created more than 150 advertising videos and excel in content production, brand storytelling, and visual communication. As an award-winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, I specialize in fashion and advertising photography, creative direction, and concept development. My work often blends documentary storytelling with visual arts, and I have collaborated internationally, including recent projects with Media Nest in Prague.

Farzad Khoshdast

I am Farzad Khoshdast, a documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, senior video editor, and photographer based in Strasbourg, France, with over 20 years of experience directing, editing, and producing documentary and commercial films. I have created more than 150 advertising videos and excel in content production, brand storytelling, and visual communication. As an award-winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, I specialize in fashion and advertising photography, creative direction, and concept development. My work often blends documentary storytelling with visual arts, and I have collaborated internationally, including recent projects with Media Nest in Prague.

Available to hire

I am Farzad Khoshdast, a documentary filmmaker, cinematographer, senior video editor, and photographer based in Strasbourg, France, with over 20 years of experience directing, editing, and producing documentary and commercial films. I have created more than 150 advertising videos and excel in content production, brand storytelling, and visual communication.

As an award-winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, I specialize in fashion and advertising photography, creative direction, and concept development. My work often blends documentary storytelling with visual arts, and I have collaborated internationally, including recent projects with Media Nest in Prague.

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Language

English
Advanced
Persian
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Documentary Filmmaker at Director of Media Nest in Prague
October 1, 2008 - September 1, 2025
Documentary cinema focused on human rights themes and social harms; produced two notable films, A Woman Without a Name and Narrow Red Line, within this process.
Writer, Director at Self-initiated feature film projects
December 1, 2020 - September 1, 2025
During this period I worked on a feature film, finished writing the script and began shooting, but the project remained unfinished due to censorship and lack of freedom of expression; I subsequently emigrated.
Photographer at Freelance Photographer
January 1, 1991 - August 1, 2025
Started taking professional photographs in high school; photography formed the foundation of my approach to cinema; influenced by Abbas Kiarostami.
Art Instructor and Workshop Facilitator at Iranian Universities
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2015
Taught cinema at Iranian universities for five years and organized workshops for provincial centers.
Advertising Director at Basit Company
October 1, 2003 - October 1, 2008
Directed and served as art consultant for several advertising campaigns; notable collaboration on television advertising.
Writer, Director at Independent / The Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC)
December 1, 2020 - September 1, 2025
During this time, I worked on my feature film, finished writing the script and began shooting, but the film remained unfinished due to censorship and lack of freedom of expression, and I was forced to emigrate.
Photographer at Self-employed / Freelance Photographer
January 1, 1991 - August 1, 2025
I started taking professional photos in high school. I have always considered photography the foundation of cinema. Later, Abbas KiARostami, who was my professor in cinema, taught me that photography is the most important part and the beginning of cinema.
Writer, Director
December 1, 2020 - September 1, 2025
Writer and director with a current tenure from December 2020 to September 2025. Began with writing a feature film and later started shooting; the project remained unfinished due to censorship and lack of freedom of expression, which led to migration.
Documentary Film Maker at The Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC)
October 1, 2008 - September 1, 2025
Documentary cinema focused on human rights and social harms. Produced two important films, A Woman Without A Name and Narrow Red Line, which won prestigious awards at major international festivals.
Photographer
January 1, 1991 - August 1, 2025
Started taking professional photos in high school; photography formed the foundation of cinema. Learned from Abbas Kiarostami, who emphasized photography as the essential starting point of cinema.
Art Instructor and Workshop Facilitator
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2015
Taught cinema at Iranian universities for five years and conducted workshops for provincial centers.
Writer & Director (Feature Film) at Self / Independent Feature Film
December 1, 2020 - September 1, 2025
Wrote and directed a feature film, completed the script and began shooting; project remained unfinished due to censorship and lack of freedom of expression, which led to emigration.
Photographer at Self-Employed
January 1, 1991 - August 1, 2025
Started taking professional photos in high school; photography formed the foundation of cinema; studied under Abbas Kiarostami who emphasized photography as the beginning of cinema.
Advertising Director at Basit
October 1, 2003 - October 1, 2008
Director and art consultant for advertising; collaborated with Basit Company on television advertising.
Director / Editor at Commercial Films Iran
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2025
Produced and edited over 150 advertising films for brands, agencies, and companies. Specialized in product videos, corporate films, fashion content, and social-media campaigns. Directed models, stylists, and creative teams for fashion-oriented productions. Managed full production workflow: concept, script, shooting, editing, color, and delivery.
Documentary Filmmaker at DEFC
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2025
Directed and shot award-winning documentaries focused on human rights and social issues. Films such as A Woman Without a Name and Narrow Red Line received international recognition. Responsible for research, directing, cinematography, editing, and festival submissions.
Writer & Director at Iran
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2025
Developed and directed a feature film project; script completed and production started. Project halted due to censorship and forced migration.
Filmmaker at Media Nest Prague, Czech Republic
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Collaborated on a documentary film project. Responsible for editing, sound design, and trailer creation.
Professional Photographer at Iran / France
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 2025
30+ years of experience in artistic, commercial, fashion, and advertising photography. Worked with models, stylists, and fashion brands. Exhibited painting and photography works in multiple art shows. Trained under Abbas Kiarostami.
Art Instructor & Workshop Facilitator at Iran
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2015
Taught cinema, visual storytelling, and documentary filmmaking at universities and cultural centers. Led workshops on filmmaking, photography, and creative development.
Documentary Filmmaker at DEFC SKILLS
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2025
Directed and shot award-winning documentaries focused on human rights and social issues. Films such as A Woman Without a Name and Narrow Red Line received international recognition. Responsible for research, directing, cinematography, editing, and festival submissions.
Writer & Director
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2025
Developed and directed a feature film project; script completed and production started. Project halted due to censorship and forced migration.
Filmmaker at Media Nest Prague
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Collaborated on a documentary film project. Responsible for editing, sound design, and trailer creation.
Professional Photographer
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 2025
30+ years of experience in artistic, commercial, fashion, and advertising photography. Worked with models, stylists, and fashion brands. Exhibited painting and photography works in multiple art shows. Trained under Abbas Kiarostami.
Art Instructor & Workshop Facilitator
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2015
Taught cinema, visual storytelling, and documentary filmmaking at universities and cultural centers. Led workshops on filmmaking, photography, and creative development.
Advertising Director at Basit Tehran
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2008
Directed TV commercials and advertising campaigns. Worked as art consultant and creative strategist for multiple brands.

Education

Master's degree in cinema and audiovisual project for cinema at Iranian Universities
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2015
Master’s Degree in Cinema & Audiovisual at Tehran
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Master’s Degree in Cinema & Audiovisual at Tehran
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026

Qualifications

Master's degree in cinema and audiovisual
January 11, 2030 - December 9, 2025
Master's degree in cinema and audiovisual
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
Master's degree in cinema and audiovisual project
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025
Master’s Degree in Cinema & Audiovisual
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Master’s Degree in Cinema & Audiovisual
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Best Documentary – A Woman Without a Name
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Jury Prize – Narrow Red Line
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Awards for documentary filmmaking (international)
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Contributions to social-issue cinema
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Software & Internet