We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kiarash Dadgar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kiarash below.

Kiarash, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I ever made was in people. It all started with finding the right individuals and building friendships rooted in loyalty and trust. These relationships became the foundation of everything. I chose to work for free on projects that I believed in, not for immediate gain but to show my commitment to those I respected and trusted. And when the time came, those same people stood by me when I needed them most.

I spent two years pitching my idea to anyone who would listen—filmmakers, investors, peers—and although I knew deep down that it had potential, the financial backing never came. That’s when I decided that if no one else was willing to take the leap, I would. I emptied my savings, every cent I had, and put it all into the project I had nurtured for so long. It wasn’t a reckless gamble; it was an act of faith—in myself, in the idea, and in the journey I’d already committed to.

Looking back, I realize that my greatest investment wasn’t just in my work, but in the friendships I built and the belief that what I was doing mattered. It was about trust—both in the people who walked this path with me and in the project I knew was destined to succeed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling—whether it was through writing plays during my early years as a student or transitioning to filmmaking, I knew I wanted to create narratives that left a lasting impact. My journey into the film industry started with passion and persistence. I have worked as an actor, director, writer and producer, creating short films that explore deep human experiences, cultural tensions, and social issues.

As for my craft, I focus on creating films that provoke thought, stir emotions, and encourage people to reflect on societal and individual struggles. My films often offer a unique way of addressing complex themes such as immigration, generational gaps, family dynamics, and cultural identity. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my films selected for over 220 festivals and win more than 80 awards, including recognition at Academy Award-qualifying festivals.

What sets me apart is the ability to take personal experiences and transform them into universal stories. I believe my work stands out because it doesn’t shy away from difficult topics—it embraces them, often in ways that surprise viewers. Whether it’s through subtle metaphors or unexpected twists, my films aim to challenge perceptions and encourage conversation.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, from pitching ideas without investors to putting everything I had into making films that mattered to me. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built along the way, the people who believed in my vision, and those who continue to stand by me. For anyone discovering my work for the first time, I want them to know that my films come from a place of deep conviction. Each project is an opportunity to push boundaries, tell stories that often go unheard, and connect with people on a personal level. My goal is to create work that entertains and sparks meaningful moments.

I have co-funded Kucid Horizon Films in 2021 in Tehran, Iran. Ultimately, my brand is about dedication to storytelling that reflects the human condition in all its complexity, and I hope to continue inspiring others through the stories I tell.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to create stories that resonate universally and connect with audiences from all walks of life, no matter where they are in the world. I aim to tell these stories through a visual language, without relying too much on words, because I believe that cinema is a relatively new science. It’s only been around for a little over 120 years, and there’s still so much unexplored potential within it.

I’m passionate about breaking traditional storytelling rules and pushing boundaries in both narrative structure and visual storytelling. I want to experiment and create films that transcend geographical or cultural limitations and speak to the shared experiences of all human beings. The core of my work revolves around human suffering and the challenges we all face, no matter where we come from. These are the stories I’m most interested in telling—stories that can connect us on a deeply human level.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

A lot of people, especially those who aren’t in creative fields, don’t know how challenging it can be to create something from scratch. After my film has been selected for festivals, I often hear questions like, “When’s the next one coming out?” or “Why aren’t you making the next project already?” But the thing about the creative process is that it takes time—it’s like cooking a meal. If you don’t let it sit on the fire for the right amount of time, it comes out raw. But if you leave it on too long, it’s overcooked, burned, and loses its essence.

This balance—knowing when a project is ready and when to stop developing it—is one of the most difficult parts of creating. Unlike sports, where there are clear measurements or rules, creativity has no set boundaries or guidelines. You can’t always say, “Now it’s ready for the world,” because the process is fluid. You have to trust your instincts about when a story has fully matured and is ready to be shared. But that’s hard to explain to those outside the creative world, because there’s no clear measurement or timeline, and sometimes the journey can be just as unpredictable as the result.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kiarashdadgar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiarash.dadgar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiarash.dadgar.3/
• Twitter: https://x.com/kiarash_dadgar
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kiarashdadgar4425

Image Credits

Mohsen Asdaghpour
Sara Jahednia