Shorts Exclusive: ‘Motherland’ Director Jasmin Mozaffari and EP Arian Moayed Chat with Isaac Butler

“For many Iranians, living outside our motherland has become increasingly difficult as we continue to confront misinformation, racism, and hatred. Motherland offers an intimate and raw portrayal of the Iranian experience in 1979, grappling with love and identity in the shadow of the revolution and the hostage crisis,” said Arian Moayed. “Jasmin Mozaffari has crafted a powerful and stunning film that lays bare the pain and resilience of being ‘the other’ – an experience familiar to far too many. The reactions to this film have been incredibly affecting and I am deeply honored to be part of it.”

Executive Producer Arian Moayed is an Iranian-born Emmy and two-time Tony Award nominated actor, writer, and director. His portrayal as Stewy Hosseni in HBO’s SUCCESSION earned him a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Other TV credits include the critically acclaimed Netflix series INVENTING ANNA, created by Shonda Rhimes, HBO Max’s LOVE LIFE and Disney’s MS. MARVEL. He wrote and directed the Emmy-nominated series THE ACCIDENTAL WOLF. Among his film credits are A24’s YOU HURT MY FEELINGS, Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME and upcoming movies SHELL starring Elizabeth Moss and Kate Hudson and HOUSE OF SPOILS opposite Ariana DeBose. Moayed previously served as Executive Producer on two Oscar-contending shorts — Liam LoPinto’s THE OLD YOUNG CROW and JOONAM, an Oscar-contending short on the Iranian-American experience from Sierra Urich. Moayed is also known for his stage work including notable Broadway performances in A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE HUMANS and BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO. Arian co-founded Waterwell in 2002, an award winning non-profit that creates film + tv + theater alongside educators and community organizers. Waterwell’s current production is The Ford / Hill Project, taking the transcripts of Dr. Hill + Dr. Ford’s senate hearings and performing them at Woolly Mammoth in DC and Public Theater in NYC. waterwell.org for more info.

Jasmin Mozaffari is an award-winning Iranian-Canadian writer/director. Her debut feature, FIRECRACKERS, premiered at TIFF in 2018 with The Globe and Mail calling Jasmin a “vital new voice for Canadian cinema”. FIRECRACKERS won Best Film at the Stockholm International Film Festival and Best Director at the Canadian Screen Awards. Peter Debruge (Variety) compared Jasmin to a “young Andrea Arnold”, and the film was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick and was further celebrated by The LA Times, Vulture, New York Magazine, and The Hollywood Reporter.

“MOTHERLAND  is not only an homage to my father, but to all Iranians who have sacrificed so much to find love and create a life in a new land. This film is about subverting outdated portrayals of middle eastern immigrants and highlighting our humanity, strength, and resilience,” says Jasmin. “I have incredible respect for Arian as an artist and as a continued advocate for Iranian storytelling. Having him come on board MOTHERLAND is a true honor.”

Producer Caitlin Grabham is an Associate Producer of BROTHER by Clement Virgo, which premiered at TIFF 2022, won 12 Canadian Screen Awards and 2 NAACP Image Awards. She is the Head of Development of Toronto-based production company Conquering Lion Pictures, and her first feature film was FIRECRACKERS, which Jasmin directed.

Award-winning Canadian Producer Priscilla Galvez co-founded the production company Silent Tower, where she produced work for the Canadian Broadcasting Company, PBS and more. She produced the documentary short SING ME A LULLABY (Canadian Screen Award winner for Best Short Documentary), directed by Tiffany Hsiung and the feature film ISLANDS directed by Martin Edralin. Most recently, her feature MEASURES FOR A FUNERAL premiered at TIFF 2024.

Executive Producer, Taj Critchlow is a talent manager, and film and television producer. Taj is also the Founder and Executive Producer of Fela — a new-age production company creating globally celebrated content. Taj worked as an Executive Producer on Joel Silver-produced feature film, SUPERFLY, the documentary UNDERPLAYED.  His latest Executive Producing venture has been on writer/director R.T. Thorne’s debut feature film, “40 ACRES”, premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Executive Producer Arsalan Asli is an Iranian born Independent Film & Television Producer who recently produced the film ECSTASY from award winning filmmaker Carolina Costa, starring Mabel Cadena and Natalia Solián. Now Arsalan is Producing a feature film based on a critically acclaimed novel from an Oscar winning author and Ariel winning filmmaker David Pablos.