Sometimes, life becomes more magical than fiction. And now I am walking in my own film, but unlike in movies, I can't write my own ending. I need your help to complete this story.

As an electrical engineering student, my journey to filmmaking was anything but straightforward, and the world of cinema seemed distant and unreachable. But creativity has a way of finding its true calling, and for me, that moment of unexpected truth came through unexpected channels – dance videos, literature, and a growing passion for storytelling.

While my peers were busy writing code, I found myself choreographing stories through dance videos, losing myself in literature, and discovering that my technical mind could serve a more artistic purpose. What started as a hidden passion soon became impossible to ignore.

That passion led me to a life-changing art residency in Shiraz, where eight filmmakers came together to create eight short films. For the first time, I experienced the pure magic of turning an idea into reality through film. In those moments, surrounded by creativity and possibility, I knew I had found my purpose.

This realization, with a dream-like passion, led me to apply to the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory – one of the most influential talent factories in the US film industry. Located in the Hollywood Hills, AFI has shaped legendary filmmakers like David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive), Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream), and Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster). With its extraordinary 1% acceptance rate, getting in seemed impossible for someone with my background.

But the impossible became a reality when I got accepted into AFI.

At AFI, I've experienced creative growth beyond my wildest dreams. In just over a year, I've been part of more than 80 short films – either hands-on or providing crucial feedback. I'm one of the few editors trusted to work on two thesis films simultaneously, blending my background with my newfound artistic voice.

Now, however, I face a crisis that threatens to end this dream. Unforeseen financial challenges have significantly impacted my ability to manage the costs of my education. Due to drastic changes in exchange rates, the value of our savings has diminished, turning what was once a feasible plan into an overwhelming challenge.

My family has made extraordinary sacrifices to get me this far. We initially planned to sell a property to fund my tuition – a significant but feasible solution. But as inflation skyrocketed in my home country, property values stagnated while the dollar grew stronger, creating a perfect storm that shattered our careful plans. with the rise of inflation, recession increases, making it nearly impossible to find buyers for property or any substantial assets. The same amount of money in our currency buys half as many dollars as it did when we started this journey, and the rising inflation has made it impossible to bridge this gap through traditional means.

This financial crisis comes at an already heartbreaking time. I recently lost two of my grandparents over the past year, and the pain of not being able to be with my family during their grief is almost unbearable.

Yet here I am, carrying not just my own dreams but the hopes and sacrifices of my entire family. Every dollar they've managed to send represents countless sacrifices and unwavering faith in my potential. I need to raise $14,000 by January 10th, 2025, or I'll be dismissed from AFI and forced to leave the United States within seven days. I've already invested over $100,000 and two years of my life in this journey – representing not just my investment, but the collective sacrifice of an entire family who believed in my talent and the stories I have to tell.

If I can't raise these funds:

Even a $20 donation would mean a lot to me and could possibly keep my dreams alive.

We can keep this dream alive together.

Your support is not only helping me finish my studies; it's about ensuring diverse stories get told, proving that backgrounds don't define destinies, and showing that with community support, dreams can become reality.

THE DEADLINE IS JANUARY 10TH, 2025. Time is critical, and your support today could be the difference between a completed journey and an unfinished story.

Thank you for reading my story.

P.S. If you'd like to know more about my journey or see my previous work, please reach out. Every share, every donation, every word of encouragement brings me closer to completing this dream.