Mike Mallak

Born in 1971, Mike Mallak (Behbahani), an award-winning Director as well as Cinematographer and Lighting Designer, was trained in Cinema at UCLA, and has studied Philosophy and the History of Art at Azad University, Tehran ,as well as studied Classical Music, Painting, History, Archeology, Sociology and Psychology at California State university Los Angeles. Mike has created numerous film projects, documentaries, videos, concerts, television and Radio shows and handled cinematography for several projects in the U.S. and in countries around the world. As a Cinematographer, he believes in painting with light and the need for the Director's vision (with a full recognition of the script) as the key to a great film's creation. Also living in different countries and experiencing different cultures has helped him understand Global Filmmaking. His positive attitude, initiation, great energy, and working well under pressure with always a ton of enthusiasm are some of the words people use to describe Mike, who has also gained more than 10 national and international awards as a visionary director / Cinematographer since 2005, including: Best Short Film at the 2007 CINEFEST in Kentucky Best short film, International Metropolitan Film Festival, 2009 Best short film at the International Police Film Festival, 2012 Best short film at the International Urban Film Festival in 2013 Best short film at the Oregon Film Festival 2015 Also several recognitions and certificates from Film Expositions and National Film Festivals can be included. Some of his film visual products has been banned by Iranian government and his first feature is in post-production. He currently lives in California. Charity Mallak is his 11 years old daughter who is an active young actress.