An Inspired Chat with Arman Hodasefat of Iowa City

We recently had the chance to connect with Arman Hodasefat and have shared our conversation below.

Arman, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For the past three years, I’ve been so focused on work and creating art that time basically passed without me noticing. Days turned into months, and suddenly years had gone by. I enjoyed the work, every minute of it, but it made me more aware of how I should spend my time and what brings me more joy.

Lately, I’ve been trying to slow down and spend more time with the people I work with—not just during projects, but outside of them too. Having honest conversations, hanging out, exploring work and life together… it’s become one of the ways I feel grounded again. There’s something real about talking openly, laughing, or even just being around people you trust.

We’re all growing, individually and together, and that makes the work feel fuller. It reminds me that filmmaking isn’t only about the hours spent creating—it’s also about the people you share your days with.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Arman Hodasefat. I’m a filmmaker originally from Iran and currently based in Iowa City. I focus on character-driven stories that explore memory, connection, and the emotional spaces people carry with them. Before filmmaking, I studied architecture, and that background still shapes how I think about framing, movement, and visual storytelling.

Over the past few years, I’ve directed several short films — including Golden Hour, Home No Return, Mammoth, and Harmony — and I also served as the showrunner for Doors, a five-episode anthology series created with more than forty collaborators from the University of Iowa. Collaboration is a huge part of my work; I love building creative environments where actors and crew feel supported, honest, and deeply connected to the story we’re making.

My favorite parts of the filmmaking process is working with actors. In my opinion, during the filmmaking process everyone strives to be perfect — the cinematographers, set designers, sound recordists, and the whole crew — but from the moment I say “action” to the moment I say “cut,” it’s the actors who carry the story and bring us to the finish line. That’s why I value their work so deeply. It’s my favorite part of directingbecause I get to live inside the story with them and understanding the characters through their perspective.

Right now, I’m developing new narrative projects that deal with grief, identity, and the psychological texture of the choices that shape our lives. What makes my work unique is the balance between emotional intimacy and visual structure — and the communities of people I get to grow with while making it.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think bonds break when people forget how deeply connected we are to one another. When we lose sight of that connection, we grow apart and our empathy fades. Restoring those bonds takes awareness and care — recognizing that we have a responsibility to support, listen to, and help each other. Even small gestures of understanding or compassion can bring people back together and remind us of our shared humanity.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of people around me who are willing to listen and really participate in a conversation. I don’t just need someone to sit quietly and hear me out — I enjoy hearing different perspectives and thinking things through together.

But I did have one experience that stayed with me. I was talking to someone who listened with so much joy, openness, and curiosity that it made the whole moment feel different. Sometimes people can understand you better than you understand yourself, and I think that’s because of shared experiences or values. They can say things sincerely that make it easier for you to see and understand your own thoughts and feelings.

That kind of listening is rare, and it reminded me how powerful it is when someone truly shows up for you.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I think the world has become so focused on the individual that the idea of success is often reduced to building a personal brand. I love celebrating people’s accomplishments and giving credit where it’s due. But what I notice is that, at the end of the day, real joy comes from sharing those moments with others — having people and communities around you to celebrate with. Success isn’t just what you achieve; it’s who you share it with.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Honestly, neither. I can’t claim that I was born to be a filmmaker, and no one ever told me to become one. My life experiences—the ups and downs, trying different things—gradually led me to a path where I realized that filmmaking is what makes me happy. It’s the way I can share my thoughts and ideas with a larger audience. I grew into being a filmmaker slowly over time, and it’s been a process of discovery as much as a choice.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
1-Harmony (2025) Poster
2-Harmony (2025) Behind the Scenes Photo
3-MFA Thesis Screening – Q&A Session
4-MFA Thesis Screening
5-MFA Thesis Screening Program
6-MFA Thesis Screening Program

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