Hi Friends - thrilled to say I’ll be speaking at @sxsw with @kashifpasta to talk about Virtual Production and Indie Filmmaking. We’ll be going behind the scenes on his most recent film @prayerinspace and getting into the weeds on how to think about VP as a tool for filmmakers even with an indie budget.
Join us for our fireside chat « Indie Film, Hollywood Tech: Virtual Production on Any Budget » where we’ll show how accessible cutting edge tech like @lumostage and @unrealengine can be 🎉 Monday 3/16 @ the Omni, registration open now for platinum badge holders.
On a personal note, it feels strange to celebrate anything these days. If you’ve seen me in person, Iran is constantly on my mind. But going silent is also a mistake. Speaking openly about stories that matter, and filmmaking as a whole is a privilege many Iranian artists don’t have. I’m looking forward to being in the company of people who believe in the power of storytelling, and carrying that into every conversation I have there. If you’re at SXSW, let me know. It will be my first time there and I’d love to catch up or meet in person.
Helloooo Vancouver! So very excited to be part of the official selection for this year’s @vanshortfilmfest !! Catch our Screening on Sat June 14th @ 5pm - SFU Djavad Mowafagian Cinema!
A year ago I pitched “My Roommate Ahriman” to the @mppiabc short film competition at the height of the coverage of around the Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran.
I was suddenly in 3 different labs at the same time - and the Whistler Film Fest was a whirlwind of meetings, coaching, pitching and learning. And I was so grateful.
But in the back of my head was Iran - I had to swallow an ocean of tears, rage and frustration. Like many Iranians in the diaspora I was expected to keep… living life. I was so grateful for the opportunity but meeting deadlines, networking and working felt like insanity, knowing what was happening in Iran, and actively, desperately searching for updates on the situation.
This year, I’m once again deeply grateful. Making “My Roommate Ahriman” was joyful, moving and one of the most creatively satisfying experiences of my life.
I’m thrilled and excited to celebrate this film and the beautiful humans who helped bring it to life, but I know even more people are going through the same thing. And my aching tired heart breaks for them.
My Roommate Ahriman is a story about loneliness, belonging and self-acceptance in a world that has convinced you to reject yourself. I cannot wait to share it with the world. If it brings you a modicum of comfort or even a little laugh, I’ll be happy.
A huge thank you to everyone whose kindness, generosity allowed us to bring this to life.
Love,
Nessa
You can catch My Roommate Ahriman @whisfilmfest
Friday Dec 1st @ 12pm - “Shortworks 2”
Saturday Dec 2nd @10am - MPP
Back in November I had the honour of working with @FraserHealth and @SAHI to write and direct this spot targeting the toxic drug crisis.
The stigma around this issue stops a lot of us from sharing. But telling our stories is key - stories can help us connect with kindness. Stories can help us feel seen without judgement. They can allows us to step towards the empowerment we need to take care of ourselves and those we love.
Right now, this series of videos has 91K+ views and growing. I don’t say this to toot my horn but to prove that this was needed content. Link to a playlist of all 7 videos is in my linktree. Please share widely.
Big thank you to the wonderful team who worked on this series of videos ❤️❤️❤️
Cast:
@AndyKalirai@AmitDhuga@BattleKATTmusic@divyanshusamant@ziyanavasaya@kam.k.sidhu@kanikasasan
Crew
Written and Directed by - @nessingabout
Produced By - @shyamvalera and @NicAltobelli
EP - @kashifpasta
Director of Photography - @mabelengg
1st AC - @valeriyakhan_
Gaffer - @tsengtzu.en
Grip - @dylan_prendergast and @krystal.chn
Sound - @ramas.rodriguez
HMUA - @jho.mua
PA - @ohthatnathanielfast
Set Dresser - @AnishaCheema
Edited by @jasl.kaurr
Colour - @pat.gong
Stealing some very helpful info from @KulpreetSingh who we had the honour to work beside:
Free, confidential help is available. When you seek health care, it will not affect your immigration or employment status. For help or more info, call Fraser Health Virtual Care at 1-800-314-0999. 7 days a week, 10am-10pm. Interpreters available. Or, visit fraserhealth.ca/southasian
ਮਦਦ ਜਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ 1-800-314-0999 'ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਕਰੋ। ਦੁਭਾਸ਼ੀਏ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਦੇ 7 ਦਿਨ ਸਵੇਰੇ 10 ਵਜੇ ਤੋਂ ਰਾਤ 10 ਵਜੇ ਤੱਕ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਭਾਸ਼ਾਵਾਂ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, ਹਿੰਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਰਦੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਪਲਬਧ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜਾਂ, fraserhealth.ca/southasian 'ਤੇ ਜਾਓ
#fraserhealth #Storytelling #ToxicDrugCrisis
Directing reel 2023.
Felt director-y. Might delete later.
(This is a joke - I am elderly and social media exhausts me.)
Big thanks to @cjmcfarz who did such a brilliant editing job bringing it together ♥️
And a HUGE Thank you to all the brilliant cast and crew who put their beautiful skills to work to bring these projects together. It was a treat to work with all of you 💗💗
*******************
#femaledirector
#femalefilmmaker
#themirror2019
#decomposing
#servantoftheouterdark
One of my New Years Resolutions has been to organize the photos on my phone (Don't worry - Im no where close to done)
But I found a bunch of my photos from the With Love and a Major Organ shoot - almost exactly 1 year ago.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
On Sept 15th we did a taped read through of this script with the help of some really wonderful people @behtash_fazlali , @parmisssehat and @arghavanjenati
The next day, we heard report that Mahsa Jina Amini had been murdered.
I think I’ve basically cried every day since.
It’s been hard to focus on writing or even celebrating the wins these past two months.
Then - after like 2 years of trying - we suddenly had some breakthroughs with Bad Persians.
Right now trying to pitch a comedy feels a little crazy.
But I know that telling stories that not only humanize Iranians with the world but share our fullness- our pain but also our JOY with an audience is key.
I really hope we get to tell this story soon.
I so grateful to every one who has ever helped us with thing. I could not be doing anything without @alyssonhall and @mzmustard beautiful brains and @kashifpasta and @shyamvalera to keep us all sane.
I will not lie or glorify this process. You shouldn’t give up. But you should rest. You should take care of yourself.
So keep writing. And re-writing.
But take a nap. Take a vacation too.
And once you’re a rested - rewrite that draft.
Stop procrastinating on IG like I am right now.
#BadPersians
I genuinely thought I would live and die never see anything change for Iran. We’re at a place right now where I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to visit safely.
But when I went to the first protest I genuinely feared there wouldn’t be much of a crowd. But we’ve been going to protests for over 2 months now - and the crowds are still coming strong. I’ve never known our community to be this united in something.
Yesterday the UN passed a resolution to establish an independent investigation into the human right violations in Iran.
It took an incredibly long time to get here. And it’s JUST the beginning.
We have a very long way to go. A lot of this is due to public pressure.
But please don’t look away.
Please keep your eyes on Iran.
Be the voice of the people.
This is the one time where social media can really DO something. Yes, even if it feels performative. Do it anyway.
They are willing to die for their freedom. It’s the least we can do.
For my Iranian friends -
This is your reminder, not only to stay strong but to also take care of yourself. This is going to be for the long haul. I know - it’s hard to rest when you’re glued to your phone watching these atrocities, but we can’t burn out either.
Take care ❤️❤️
The look of someone contemplating yet **another** cup of coffee on a shoot day.
Side note- very important query: should I make directing in a floppy hat my thing?
#femalefilmmakerfriday
