Tara Aghdashloo
Tara Aghdashloo is an Iranian-born filmmaker, writer, director, poet, and multidisciplinary artist based between London and Toronto.[1]
A former journalist and documentarian with a focus on Middle Eastern and international affairs, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and a Master of Arts from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.[1][2]
Aghdashloo's short films, including The Ride (2022), Bridge (2023), and Empty Your Pockets (2024), have collectively received over 30 nominations and 19 awards at festivals qualifying for the Academy Awards, Canadian Screen Awards, BAFTA, and BIFA.[1][3]
Her debut narrative short The Ride was commissioned by BFI Network with support from the Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council.[3]
In addition to filmmaking, she has published essays in outlets such as the Financial Times, The Guardian, and Harvard Business Review, and released a poetry collection titled This Is Not a Pomegranate.[1]
Aghdashloo co-founded The Invisible Line Gallery and advocates for human rights and inclusivity in the film industry.[1]