Mostafa Keshvari

Mostafa Keshvari is an Iranian-born Canadian director, writer, and producer based in Vancouver, Canada. He is a member of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) , Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), and The Federation of Canadian Artists FCA). Mostafa's passion for storytelling made him switch from financial bank managing to film-making where he received a scholarship at Vancouver Film School (VFS). His first short film "I Ran" was selected in Cannes Short Corner Film Festival 2015 and earned him international recognition. His success was followed by 2 feature films, 11 shorts, and 2 animations. His directorial debut feature film "Unmasked", on a Muslim woman becoming an actress during the "Muslim ban" has won 28 international awards and 14 nominations. His short animation "Music Box" received 4 Leo nominations and was in Cannes short Corner in 2017. His controversial short film "Child Bride" explores the horror of child marriage based on a true story and was also selected at Cannes short corner in 2019. Mostafa's latest short film "The Will and the Wall" also defies the borders and explores the friendship of a Mexican boy and a US border patrol officer amid the "Trump Wall" crisis. It was nominated for the prestigious Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton International film festival (2020). Mostafa's latest and second feature film "Corona" was acclaimed as the world's first Coronavirus film by the New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, BBC, Times, and over 100 international media. Corona is a dramatic feature film on Coronavirus and Xenophobia and was shot in February 2020 before the epidemic. The film has won numerous awards including Best Director's award at the Oscar-qualifying Rhode Island International film festival. Mostafa's films mainly focus on relevant social issues, injustice, and humanitarian subjects with strong female lead characters. His filmmaking style is influenced by his background in poetry and painting. Mostafa is also the founder of " BC Film Minorities for film and TV society " which advocates diversity and inclusion in the film industry.