In Search Of Stories Untold with Iranian Filmmaker Gelareh Kiazand

Stories of Transformation

Gelareh Kiazand is an Iranian filmmaker who is on a mission to revitalize the film and documentary genre. Integrity, education, and companionship are among the fundamental values she considers in her work. She is founder of SeeTô Productions, a media company which aims to "produce high quality productions by grouping talent that transcend borders.” Indeed, Kiazand and her crew serve as a collective conduit through which the stories of underrepresented people and places can be brought to light.

Gelareh takes pride in her authentic storytelling - at once offering fresh perspectives while being sure to remain subjective, giving utmost credence to the subject. With a modest profundity, Kiazand understands the modern media landscape on a forward-thinking level. Many people today exhibit dual appetites for both short-form and long-form storytelling. Her short films have been played at festivals around the world. On the long-form end of the spectrum, Gelareh directed a 13-part documentary spanning several regions of Afghanistan, and tackling some of the country’s social issues.

Kiazand's myriad passions of learning, traveling, and storytelling eventually found her with a camera in her hand - a companionship which has taken her all around the world. With a goal of expanding her audience’s cultural understanding, her life and work serve as an inspiration to those striving to make a difference.

In this episode of Stories of Transformation, Gelareh Kiazand shares some of the most profound insights she has collected over the course of her life and career. Topics include the a unique perspective on the widespread misunderstanding of Iran and the greater Middle East; the reciprocal benefit of intimate moments between artist and subject; human beings’ attention span vs. consideration span; and the importance of experiencing a place in order to truly understand it.

For full show notes
https://www.baktashahadi.com/podcast

Connect with Gelareh Kiazand
Website: http://gelarehkiazand.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/gelarehkiaz

Resources
Gelareh Kiazand's media production company, SeeTô Productions: www.seetoproductions.com

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Credits

Hosted by: Baktash Ahadi
https://www.baktashahadi.com

Produced by: Joseph Gangemi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-gangemi-audio/

Digital Marketing & Media by: Katherine An
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-a-91081b56/

Theme music by: Qais Essar
www.therabab.com

Artwork by: Masheed Ahadi
https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/masheed

Episode Music Credits
"Pilgrim" by Some Were At Sea
"Separation" by ANBR
"Landing On The Ground" by Sivan Talmor