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

Alright, Masoud thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is Nothing to Hide, a five-minute animated documentary about Zara, an Iranian amputee navigating life after childhood cancer and amputation. It was deeply impactful because it used animation to portray her memories, emotions, and societal challenges in a way that live-action couldn’t. The project pushed me to creatively represent abstract and painful realities while fostering empathy. Zara’s resilience and the unique challenges she faced, like navigating inaccessible infrastructure and costly prosthetics, inspired me to craft a narrative that combined artistic innovation with social impact.

Masoud, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Masoud Bahmani, a creative visual storyteller and visual artist with a passion for animation, storyboarding, and innovative narrative design. My journey into the world of art began unexpectedly when I visited an exhibition by graduating sculptors and painters at the Tehran University of Art. Around the same time, I discovered a collection of animated short films from the National Film Board of Canada and Eastern European animators like Jan Švankmajer and Jiří Trnka. These experiences deeply fascinated me and inspired me to transition from my background in engineering to pursue a career in art and animation.

How I Got into the Industry
These early influences led me to pursue a Master of Arts in Animation at the Tehran University of Art and later a Master of Fine Arts in Media Production at the University of Regina, Canada. While studying at the University of Regina, I developed a keen interest in animated documentaries, inspired by the work of Bob Sabiston on films like Figures of Speech (1999) and Snack and Drink (1999). Sabiston’s innovative use of rotoscoping to explore hidden emotions and fragmented narratives strongly influenced my approach to storytelling. This inspiration led me to create Nothing to Hide, a documentary that blends animation with emotional storytelling to highlight underrepresented perspectives.

Since completing my studies, I’ve worked with prestigious studios like Atomic Cartoons, Bardel Entertainment, and Relish Studios, contributing to globally recognized projects such as Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, Polly Pocket, and Mia and Codie. In the industry, my primary focus is storyboarding and story revision, helping shape compelling visual narratives that align with project goals.

The Type of Work I Do
In the industry, I specialize in storyboarding, story revision, and layout design. My role is to bring clarity, structure, and creativity to visual narratives, ensuring stories resonate with audiences and align with production goals.

For my personal projects, I explore blending different mediums and techniques, such as digital collages, rotoscoping, and under-camera methods like stop-motion and painted animations. My academic research and creative experiments aim to push artistic boundaries by merging traditional and digital techniques, crafting hybrid visual styles that are fresh and emotionally impactful.

Problems I Solve for Clients
In the industry, I address narrative challenges by creating clear, compelling storyboards and revising stories to elevate their emotional and visual impact. My expertise in storytelling ensures the final product aligns with both creative vision and production needs.

In my personal work, I focus on tackling the challenge of visually representing abstract emotions, memories, and concepts, creating unique storytelling experiences that connect deeply with audiences.

What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my ability to balance industry-standard practices like storyboarding with experimental storytelling techniques in my personal projects. My fascination with animated documentaries, inspired by the innovative filmmaking of Bob Sabiston, drives me to explore unconventional approaches. At the same time, my industry experience ensures I deliver polished, professional results. I’m committed to continually refining my craft, blending innovative research with practical expertise.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my animated documentary Nothing to Hide, which has been screened at international festivals like the Silver Wave Film Festival (Canada) and the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival (Turkey). It reflects my ability to tell meaningful, empathetic stories while experimenting with innovative animation techniques.

Key Takeaways for Clients and Followers
Industry Work: I specialize in storyboarding and story revision, crafting clear, compelling visual narratives for productions.
Personal Projects: I explore experimental storytelling by blending traditional and digital animation techniques to create unique and emotionally resonant works.
My academic research in animated documentaries, inspired by Bob Sabiston’s filmmaking, informs my creative vision, focusing on representing abstract thoughts, memories, and emotions.
I’m passionate about pushing artistic boundaries, combining practical expertise with creative innovation to bring stories to life.

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

My creative journey is driven by a mission to tell meaningful stories that evoke empathy and highlight underrepresented perspectives. I make stories about people, for people—their lived experiences and everyday lives are my greatest source of inspiration. Through these narratives, I aim to capture the beauty and complexity of human existence, fostering understanding and connection.

I strive to explore abstract and often unspoken aspects of reality—memories, emotions, and inner struggles—using innovative animation techniques like rotoscoping, digital collage, and hybrid methods. A key goal is to push the boundaries of visual storytelling by blending traditional and digital mediums, creating fresh and impactful narratives.

Whether through animated documentaries or industry projects, my work is dedicated to connecting with audiences on a deeper emotional level, giving voice to stories that might otherwise remain untold. Ultimately, my mission is to craft stories that resonate, inspire reflection, and celebrate the shared humanity in us all.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is connecting with people through storytelling. Transforming lived experiences into visual narratives that evoke empathy and inspire reflection is deeply fulfilling. I also love experimenting with different techniques to push creative boundaries, making each project a unique opportunity to innovate and connect on a meaningful level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://masoudbahmani.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masoud_bah/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoud-bahmani-bb836010a