Kamshad Kooshan, a remarkably versatile and multifaceted Iranian-American creative dynamo, has left an indelible mark on the realms of film and theater, demonstrating an extraordinary capacity to excel and innovate within a diverse range of artistic mediums.
Born in the ancient land of Iran, a nation steeped in rich cultural heritage and storied history, Kooshan, a young and ambitious individual, made the bold decision to leave his homeland behind and embark on a new journey in the United States. At the tender age of 16, with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart full of determination, Kooshan arrived on American soil, bringing with him a passion for photography that had been burning bright within him since the tender age of 12.
Notably, Kooshan's multifaceted creative endeavors extend beyond the realms of photography and theater, as he has also cultivated his writing abilities, successfully publishing a remarkable collection of short stories entitled "Moonlit Garden" through Raha Press, a testament to his versatility and dedication to his craft.
Kooshan's educational background was marked by stints at San Francisco State University and the prestigious American Conservatory of Theater, laying the groundwork for a career in the arts. Following his formal training, Kooshan embarked on a creative journey, penning and helming three captivating short films. His most recent endeavor, "The Last Illusion," garnered significant recognition and acclaim from esteemed institutions, including the American Film Institute and the renowned UCLA Film & Television Archive.
Kooshan spent a significant period of three consecutive years dedicating himself to academia, occupying the esteemed position of professor within the Graduate Motion Picture & Video department at the prestigious Academy of Art University, located in the vibrant city of San Francisco.
In the year 1998, a screenplay penned by Kooshan for the motion picture "Surviving Paradise" managed to capture the attention of producers and investors, ultimately resulting in a production that boasted an impressive cast of over 50 talented actors in the city of Los Angeles.
Upon the completion of the film, "Surviving Paradise" was extended an invitation to participate in various prestigious international film festivals, where it went on to receive widespread critical acclaim and garnered significant media attention.
The cinematic achievement reached a peak of three consecutive months of widespread theatrical display in prominent American movie theaters, thereby introducing the talented Shohreh Aghdashloo to the Hollywood spotlight and solidifying Kooshan's position as the pioneering Iranian-American filmmaker to have a feature-length film in the English language distributed and showcased in the North American movie theater circuit.
