Meet Hani Parhizkar | Indie Film Worker & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hani Parhizkar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hani, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think a huge portion of my adult life has been based on risks. It started the first time a film opened a portal in me – Black Swan. I was 14, dancing ballet at the time, and the psychological themes deeply resonated with me amidst my adolescent angst. From there, I went to Art school in Tehran to study film, navigated a patriarchal environment, and eventually crossed borders to pursue my Master of Arts in Media Studies from Penn State University. It was a move to study the industry from a closer lens before finally landing in LA. It has all been a web of risks.

Taking risks is not easy on your heart and mind; it’s a mental and emotional bracing for a storm. I arrived in Los Angeles at a time when production levels were at a notorious low – a reality I had anticipated through my research. I was fresh out of my Master’s with a thesis focused on the political economy of post-COVID Hollywood, specifically analyzing shifting market trends and the industrial currents that led to a surge in movie-going culture and the box office phenomenon of “Barbenheimer.” Moving from the theoretical space of grad school to the front lines of the industry, I was determined to see if my academic insights into the “new Hollywood” could survive the practical reality of the grind.

It’s been a rollercoaster since, and I’ve found my footing primarily within the Art Department. I was drawn to it immediately; working with props and bringing a vision to life is a messy, beautiful undertaking of teamwork that is closely intertwined with the internal dynamics of the story. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with different Production Designers who trusted my vision and, through their humble and patient mentorship, allowed me to step into the fast-paced world behind the scenes. It has been a process of proving that a deep understanding of film theory can, in fact, enrich the tangible reality of the craft.Recently, this journey has allowed me to contribute to impactful projects, including Loose Ends and the AFI DWW+ alum Melissa Fisher’s film Inside These Walls.

While I’m deeply embedded in the aesthetic side of filmmaking, I’ve also taken ‘day-player’ roles (freelance, short-term gigs) that allow me to see the industry from every angle. This includes working in Sustainability – managing the physical footprint and resource waste of a production – on the set of the A24/Apple TV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles. It’s a fascinating contrast to the indie documentary projects I’m still ‘cooking’ on the side.
There’s an aura of “Hollywoodity” that draws you to this city, but the real reward has been stepping out of the abstraction and discovering the grit and community behind the scenes.

Ultimately, the risk was worth it; it forced me to stop merely observing the industry and commit to the work of building it. What I have loved most about this work are the organic, unique friendships that emerge when the chemistry is right on a production team. These relationships, forged through a shared struggle, feel incredibly pure because they are built on a foundation of mutual trust and creative survival.

The same applies to the way I have always treated life: everything is a trade-off. There is a constant balance between loss and gain, and I believe only a coherent heart and mind – paired with sharp eyes and open ears – can grant you the ability to scrub away the pain and losses to reach the core of the lessons. As someone who has crossed borders to build a life, I have lived this truth with blood and bone; it is what has always carried me through the “storms”.
In the end, I find filmmaking to be an echo of life itself. The greatest insight of my journey was the realization that the heart of either isn’t found in the trends, the marketing campaigns, the stars, or the spectacles – it is found in the people you stand with in the trenches.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, practicing any art has always been a way of connecting to the unknown and hidden layers of life. When I look at any medium – be it a painting, a film, or a physical space – the first thing that strikes me is the story it tells; because of this, I believe every artistic creation is a form of writing. As an aspiring artist, I view writing as the core of any craft, as it is the primary tool that allows me to tap into with my own ideas, be more articulate, connect to people from different backgrounds and find inspiration in the rich tapestry of their histories.

My deepest passion lies in this act of translating what I see, feel, and receive into words. This process requires a constant “ego-stripping,” a delicate balance of quieting the self just enough to let an authentic, unique voice emerge. It is an exploration of language, from the surface to the core, where I use motifs, patterns, and the rhythmic flow of sentences to build a narrative out of raw observation.

My path has been largely defined by the challenge and beauty of learning to translate myself into another language while remaining honest, without missing a beat. I am proud of the dedication I had as a child growing up in Iran with limited resources, fueled by a curiosity that led me to learn English through the lens of cinema. I spent years imitating my favorite actors and characters, reading everything I could get my hands on, and slowly overcoming the fear of expressing my true self in a foreign tongue.

This linguistic journey taught me to be more articulate about who I am and what I want. It has given me a sharpness of eye that I bring to every set and every script. I want the world to know that my story is one of intentional observation and the courage to cross borders – not just geographically, but linguistically and creatively. Whether I am writing an essay or building a fictional world in the Art Department, my goal is to maintain that “honest translation,” ensuring that the core of the human experience is never lost in the process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting, the journey would have to start at the In N Out near LAX for a Double Double with both raw and grilled onions, Animal Style fries (extra spread, of course), and a vanilla shake. We wouldn’t sit at a table; we’d eat outside, gazing at a sky full of planes screaming overhead in a noisy, perfect baptism into the city. From there, we’d head to the Venice Boardwalk to walk off the jet lag, watching the skaters, musicians, and beautiful eccentrics lost in their own worlds. We’d grab a drink at The Butcher’s Daughter and hit the sand just as we’re feeling a bit tipsy, exactly in time to watch the sun dip into the Pacific.

The energy would shift as we wake up early for a hike to the Hollywood Sign, catching that first light view before heading straight to HomeState for a brunch of brisket and egg tacos. We’d spend the afternoon wandering through the curated chaos of art books and oddities at Soap Plant / Wacko, eventually landing at the Vista Theatre – nothing beats the hum of a projector and the flicker of an old movie shown on actual film. We’d dive into the “high art” abstraction of The Broad and the the Disney Concert Hall, followed by the sensory overload of Grand Central Market.

To find our center, we’d head to Red Diamond Yoga for an authentic morning of untangling the body and mind, followed by a quiet afternoon at Jackson Market in Culver City, talking for hours on the back patio. We’d dedicate another day to just walking along Sunset, bar hopping from the hidden corners of Silver Lake down to Echo Park, making sure to stop at Bacari for their Mediterranean small plates and vibrant atmosphere. We would finish the week at Griffith Observatory for the moonrise and stargazing, looking out over the grid of lights to put the “spectacles” of the industry into perspective.

For a true taste of home and the best Iranian food in the area, we’d absolutely have to visit Raffi’s Place at Glendale. Finally, before I drop them off, I’d take them for a late night drive along Mulholland Drive and talk about David Lynch’s Californian legacy. It carries the most mysterious “Hollywoodity” aura of all; looking out at the sprawling city lights from those winding roads puts the entire grind and hustle into a beautiful, quiet perspective – though we should just be watchful for any coyotes!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to Sepehr Mikaeilian, an extraordinary Iranian director, producer, and documentarian. When I arrived in this city with nothing but a thesis and a drive to create, Sepehr truly held my hand. What I love most about Sepehr is that he is always on top of his game; he is a wonderful director and an amazing mentor who is deeply passionate about every aspect of his craft. He showed me how to translate my academic vision into the practical language of production, providing a vision as sharp as an eagle that allowed me to find my footing.

Equally, I am deeply grateful to my friend and yoga instructor, Yasmin Shirangi. I owe much of my resilience to Iyengar yoga; Yasmin has been a beacon of light in untangling both my body and mind through her sincere delivery of knowledge. I deeply value the contrast between these two mentors: while I thrive in the fast paced, high pressure energy of the director’s world, Yasmin provides a necessary, earthy, grounded energy that brings me back to my center. What I love about her is her soft authority and her profound, detailed understanding of yoga, which has taught me meaningful observance without losing touch with reality. My shoutout also goes to the Red Diamond Yoga community for being such a peaceful sanctuary. Make sure to say hi to Kevin and Amanda, two of the nicest LA people you’ll ever meet!

Finally, I must recognize Mehregan Pezeshki, a brilliant performance and visual artist who has been my best friend through every step of this journey. Mehregan has been my anchor, teaching me everything from the practical tips and tricks of life in LA to the deeper complexities of how to survive and thrive as a woman artist. Her presence has made the struggles of building a life here feel like a shared adventure, and I am endlessly grateful for her wisdom and companionship.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm17173456/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanii_par/

Image Credits
Sepehr Mikaeilian