Biography
Tara Aghdashloo is an award-winning writer, director, multidisciplinary artist and poet born and raised in Iran. She is a published author who has worked as a print and broadcast journalist covering international current affairs, arts and culture for places like Channel 4 and BBC, before transitioning to film. In 2020 she completed a masterclass by renowned filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf who remains as her mentor. Since then, she’s made three short films. THE RIDE (2022), was commissioned by BFI Network, Canada Council of the Arts, and Toronto Arts Council. It premiered at Cinequest and won Best Short Film at Nostalgia Festival. BRIDGE (2023) was funded by the BBC and received 16 nominations and 7 wins in festivals globally so far, and remains in the circuit. Her latest short EMPTY YOUR POCKETS (2024) is produced by OPC and Intermission Film, supported by Canada Council of the Arts and Ontario Arts Council. After participating at Marche du Cannes represented by IIFMA, it premiered at BlackStar Festival, and received two awards for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Lead Actor at ReelWorld festival, and continues its festival journey. As an artist Tara paints and works as an art director. She is a human rights activist and advocate for women’s rights, a passion that has made it dangerous for her to return home.
