Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Languages
Timeline
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Ava Shah

Ava Shah

Toronto,ON

Summary

With over five years of international experience in crafting short films, videos, and media arts, I am a passionate and innovative filmmaker committed to bringing captivating stories to life on screen. Having contributed to over 20 projects with diverse titles, I believe filmmaking is about forging connections, enabling audiences to immerse themselves in our envisioned worlds and relate those experiences to their own lives. Essentially, cinema is consciousness externalized and so consciousness meets its own process when we are watching a film, like a mirror in front of our brain.

Think about it one more time, mind blowing!

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Writer - Faceless Short Film

Pink Elephant Production (Pre Production)
2024 - Current
  • Research the topic and history to ensure authentic presentation.
  • Developed and pitched story ideas
  • Followed company policies and editorial guidelines to craft thorough, well-written content.



Executive Producer

Goat Short Film ( Post Production )
08.2023 - Current
  • Create a timeline of action items, deliverables, and deadlines
  • Remained composed and highly professional in fast-paced and constantly changing environment, effectively handling challenging situations and difficult individuals to achieve objectives.
  • Maintained project costs through careful budgeting and monitoring of expenditures.

Writer & Director The Illusion of Choice Short

Pink Elephant (Distribution)
02.2023 - Current
  • Participated in meetings with producers and production crew to keep program in step with creative vision.
  • Reviewed scripts to determine most appropriate methods to use for directing both actors and crew members.
  • Oversaw lighting, graphics, audio and camera movements

Director & Producer The Untouchable Short Film

AVMedia
03.2021 - 12.2021
  • Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
  • Managed and controlled a team over 100 cast and crew during production of this film
  • Secured funding for independent films by presenting compelling pitch decks to potential investors.
  • Oversaw post-production processes, including editing and visual effects, to ensure a seamless final product that met creative vision

Writer, Director and Producer

Mina Short Film
09.2018 - 01.2019
  • Secured funding for film projects through grants, crowdfunding campaigns, and private investors.
  • Presented production ideas and determined creative scenarios for production and delivery.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Received recognition for exceptional storytelling abilities through awards and nominations at various film festivals.

First Assistant Director

Playing with Stars Film Co
10.2019 - 12.2019
  • Working with both the production manager and the director to make the shooting schedule efficient as possible.

First Assistant Director

Pendulum Film (Pandul) Film
11.2018 - 02.2019
  • Working with both the production department and directing department to make the shooting schedule.

BTS Videographer

A Hairy Tale
08.2017 - 10.2022
  • People in film industry called the BTS videography the third eye on set
  • Videography the daily shooting of a film to gives your audience insights into the challenges and efforts that go into making a film.

Project Director

Nasim Channel
07.2021 - 10.2021
  • A documentary series about athletes in the different cities of Iran who are attending the show of 'Tahmtan' to become the next strongest man of Iran
  • The documentary was about the athletes' daily life and their rout to become a champion.

Documentary Director

Architecture and Construction Magazine
04.2021 - 05.2021
  • Filming diverse building/housing structures in the island of Kish which has unique architecture called Mercury architecture in comparison to the old structure of the Island.

Creative Director- Theater and Film Teaser/Trailer

Self Employment
12.2019 - 04.2020
  • Making video advertisements and teasers for theatre and film.

Rock Climbing Instructor

True North Climbing

Education

Film Production Diploma - Film Production

Toronto Film School
Toronto
12.2022

Bachelor of Science - Psychology Major

University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
05.2014

Skills

  • Creative Concept Developer
  • Team player with leadership qualities
  • Communication and Interpersonal skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Convergent Thinker
  • Cross-Functional Collaborator
  • Videographer - Cannon, Nikon, Sony
  • Video Editor - Adobe Premiere

Accomplishments

Awards and Nominations for " The Untouchable"

  • Lindalee Tracey Award at HOT DOCS 2022
  • Best Ensamble - Canadian Film Festival 2023
  • Best Leading Actor - Pigeon Film Festival 2022
  • Best Short Film - Bucharest ShortCut CineFest 2022
  • Best Leading actor- ArkGate Film Festival 2023
  • Best Short Film Nomination TIFF 2022
  • Best Short Film Nomination International Bolton Film Festival 2022

Awards and Nominations for "Mina"

  • Best Script - Stockholm International Film Festival '20
  • Best Leading Actor - Festival of Nations '20
  • Finalist - Rhode Island International Film Festival '20
  • Finalist - Buenos Aries International Film Festival '20

Languages

English
Native or Bilingual
Farsi
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working

Timeline

Executive Producer

Goat Short Film ( Post Production )
08.2023 - Current

Writer & Director The Illusion of Choice Short

Pink Elephant (Distribution)
02.2023 - Current

Project Director

Nasim Channel
07.2021 - 10.2021

Documentary Director

Architecture and Construction Magazine
04.2021 - 05.2021

Director & Producer The Untouchable Short Film

AVMedia
03.2021 - 12.2021

Creative Director- Theater and Film Teaser/Trailer

Self Employment
12.2019 - 04.2020

First Assistant Director

Playing with Stars Film Co
10.2019 - 12.2019

First Assistant Director

Pendulum Film (Pandul) Film
11.2018 - 02.2019

Writer, Director and Producer

Mina Short Film
09.2018 - 01.2019

BTS Videographer

A Hairy Tale
08.2017 - 10.2022

Writer - Faceless Short Film

Pink Elephant Production (Pre Production)
2024 - Current

Rock Climbing Instructor

True North Climbing

Film Production Diploma - Film Production

Toronto Film School

Bachelor of Science - Psychology Major

University of Waterloo
Ava Shah