Filmmaker, Editor, Visual Storyteller
About
Ala Mohseni, born and raised in Tehran, Iran, has woven a rich tapestry of experiences in the performing and cinematic arts, bridging cultures and exploring profound narratives. His journey began in 1991 when he was drawn to the theater, signaling the start of a lifelong passion for storytelling and performance.
In 2004, Ala directed 'The Life,' a documentary that delves into the legacy of Nosrat Karimi, a pioneer of Iranian cinema; however, the film faced prohibition from being screened in Iran because Nosrat Karimi was banned from working after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. His quest for knowledge and mastery in filmmaking led him to attend a masterclass workshop by the esteemed Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami and a BBC documentary workshop, enriching his perspective and skills.
Ala's documentary, "My City Pizza," released in 2008, humorously explored the pizza craze in Tehran, earning accolades for its comedic insight and was celebrated in festivals worldwide. The following year, the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) recognized his vision with the Jan Vrijman Fund for his project "Hidden Kisses," a film left incomplete due to the tumultuous civil unrest following Iran's 2009 presidential election.
In late 2010, seeking new horizons and freedoms, Ala immigrated to the United States, where he earned an MFA in Film at the California College of the Arts. This new chapter in California marked a pivotal shift in his focus towards immigrant experiences, producing films on diverse subjects such as Afro-Iranian music, the plight of a celebrated cartoonist seeking political asylum in France, and the story of a renowned filmmaker and theater master exiled from Iran.
Ala's work continued to evolve, as seen in his experimental multimedia performance "RED minus 2" during his residency at Agapolis + Building180 in 2019. This project, part of his ambitious project "RED", pays homage to the life and work of Reza Abdoh, an avant-garde Iranian-immigrant playwright and director who left an indelible mark before his untimely death in 1995.
Currently, Ala is an artist at the Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP), where he is dedicated to his latest documentary, "Pedaling Palette: A GPS Artist Odyssey." This film narrates the journey of a Polish-American artist in San Francisco, using the city's streets as a canvas to advocate for human rights, showcasing Ala's continued commitment to stories that bridge cultures and illuminate the human condition.
Selected Festivals
Idfa Amsterdam, BigPond Adelaide, Starz Denver, Zaandam Netherlands, Aljazeera Qatar, Oxdox UK, Boston USA, Houston USA, Dresden Germany, Syracuse USA, Wien Austria, UNAFF USA, Roma Italy, Miami USA, Hammerbrook Germany, Barcelona Planet Spain, unDependence UK, and so on.
Selected Awards and Residencies
Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP), Palo Alto, USA, 2022
Agapolis and Building180 Artist in Residence, Portola Valley, USA, 2019
Finalist, unDependence Film Festival Edinburgh, UK, 2016
Best Short Film, Noor Int’l Film Festival, USA, 2013
Best Short Film, 4th Int’l Farhang Film Festival, USA, 2012
Best Short Film, Oxdox Int’l Documentary Film Festival, Oxford, UK, 2009
Winner Development Fund, Jan Vrijman Fund of Idfa, Netherlands, 2009
Best Documentary, 3rd Int’l Urban Film Festival, 2009
