Ms Maryam Mohajer

I am a British-Iranian, BAFTA-winning animator-director from Tehran, Iran. I have lived through revolution, war and immigration.

My work is strongly based on my background in painting, focusing on the creative use of cultural background, heritage and identity in storytelling through moving image. 

I have been a part of numerous international film festivals both as a director, animator and as a jury member.

My teaching experience also includes a selection of talks and workshops as a visiting lecturer in universities such as Central Saint Martins, Pratt Institute, Penn, University of East London and University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Awards, grants and commissions

• BAFTA Award for Best British Short Animation 2020
• BFI Production funding Award 2022 for the film And Granny Would Dance 2024
• Audience Award for Best Short Animation Palm Springs ShortFest 2024
• Grand Prize for Best Short Animation Flickers Rhode Island RIFF 2024
• Best Animation Award Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024
• Best of Festival Award Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024
• Best British Short Animation Award London International Animation Festival LIAF 2024
• Best British Short Award Manchester International Animation Festival 2024
• Public Prize Award Festival de Filmes de Femmes 2025
• Best European Animation Award Go Short International Short Film Festival 2025
• Best Animation Award Stockholm Independent Film Festival 2025
• Public choice Award British Animation Awards 2020
• Artist in residence Award Tricky Women 2007

• MA Animation, Royal College of Art 2007
• BA Illustration Animation, Kingston University, 2005
• Honorary Fellow of Royal College of Art 2024
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2022
• BA Painting, Tehran Azad University, Iran 2000