Bita Elahian
{{short description|Iranian-American filmmaker and actress}}
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{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
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{{Infobox person
| name = Bita Elahian (Alahyan)
| image =
| caption =
| native_name = بیتا الهیان
| native_name_lang = Fa
| occupation = Filmmaker and Actress
| years_active = 2009–present
| nationality = Iranian {{flagicon|Iran}} American {{flagicon|US}}
| education = New York Film Academy (BFA)
}}
Bita Elahian (Alahyan) ({{langx|fa| بیتا الهیان }}), is an Iranian-American filmmaker and actress who lives in Los Angeles, California.[https://uniquedirecting.com/about-1 Bita Elahian Biography]{{Cite web|title=Bita Elahian, Author at Cinema Without Borders|url=https://www.cinemawithoutborders.com/author/bita-elahian/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Cinema Without Borders|date=March 2018 |language=en-US}} She studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). Elahian has received various awards for her directing in drama films. She is a member of Women in Film LA and New York Women in Film & Television.[https://cineequal.org/author/bita-elahian Bita Elahian Bio in cineequal.org]
Early life
Bita Elahian was born in Tehran, where she lived for much of her childhood.
Career
Bita Elahian began her film career in the Middle East. She gained popularity as both an actress and a theatre director. She directed a performance of Crimes of the Heart. She also directed a rendition called Lobby, which was featured during the Fajr International theatre Festival in Iran.{{Cite web|date=December 14, 2011|title=گفت‌وگو با "بیتا الهیان" کارگردان نمایش "لابی" .|url=https://theater.ir/fa/26279|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-09|website=ایران تئاتر|language=fa}}{{Cite web|date=2009-11-29|title=Bita Elahian wins best director at Women's Theater Festival|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/37204/Bita-Elahian-wins-best-director-at-Women-s-Theater-Festival|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Mehr News Agency|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=زندگی یک تکواندوکار زن در لابی هتل - خبرآنلاین|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/amp/131011/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=www.khabaronline.ir}}{{Cite web|date=2009-11-29|title=Bita Elahian wins best director at Women's Theater Festival|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/209006/Bita-Elahian-wins-best-director-at-Women-s-Theater-Festival|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Tehran Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=www.fhnews.ir|first=رسانه خبری سازمان فرهنگی هنری{{!}}|title=برگزيدگان هشتمين جشنواره سراسري تئاتر بانوان معرفي شدند|url=http://fhnews.ir/fa/news/5426|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=fa|language=fa}}
Later in her career, Elahian decided to transition from theatre to filmmaking. She created a movie entitled The Seventh Day, which was aired at over 20 film festivals.{{Cite web|url=http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-bita-elahian-director-producer-north-hollywood/|title=Meet Bita Elahian - Voyage LA Magazine {{!}} LA City Guide|last=|first=|date=March 19, 2019|website=|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}{{Cite web|date=2013-09-17|title=رحمانیان و نصیرپور "هفتمین روز" را کلید زدند|url=https://www.isna.ir/news/92062616899/رحمانیان-و-نصیرپور-هفتمین-روز-را-کلید-زدند|access-date=2020-06-09|website=ایسنا|language=fa}}{{Cite web|date=2013-09-17|title=محمد رحمانیان و مهتاب نصیرپور "هفتمین روز" را کلید زدند|url=https://www.khabaronline.ir/news/313460/محمد-رحمانیان-و-مهتاب-نصیرپور-هفتمین-روز-را-کلید-زدند|access-date=2020-06-09|website=خبرآنلاین|language=fa}}{{Cite web|title="هفتمین روز" امروز در فرمانیه کلید می‌خورد - خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/amp/2136643/|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.mehrnews.com}}
Elahian moved to the US to advance her career as a movie director. As a student at the New York Film Academy, she directed Beautiful Dream and Blame as part of her coursework.{{Cite web|title=January 2018 Selects and winners|url=http://www.calwomensfest.com/January_2018_Selects_and_winners.html|last=|first=|date=|website=www.calwomensfest.com|archive-url=|archive-date=}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=فیلم کوتاه "Blame" به کارگردانی بیتا الهیان برنده جایزه بهترین فیلم از نگاه تماشاگران جشنواره فیلم زنان کالیفرنیا|url=http://24framesnews.com/%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85-%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%87-blame-%D8%A8%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%DB%8C%D8%A7/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-09|website=24framesnews|language=fa-IR}}{{Cite web|title=Spotlight Horror Film Awards : Filmmakers in the Spotlight|url=http://spotlighthorrorawards.com/2016filmmakers.html|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Spotlight Horror Film Awards|language=en}}{{Cite news|title=فیلم کوتاه "بیتا الهیان" از اندونزی سه جایزه گرفت|language=fa|url=https://shortfilmnews.com/news/2146470313|access-date=2020-06-09}}{{Cite web|date=2017-09-27|title=Bita Elahian receives Honorable Mention at Los Angeles Movie Awards|url=https://www.cinemawithoutborders.com/bita-elahian-receives-honorable-mention-los-angeles-movie-awards/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Cinema Without Borders|language=en-US}} Vida is her latest short film, which she directed and acted in.{{Cite web|title=VFF: Film Profile: VIDA|url=http://www.valleyfilmfest.com/valleyfilmfest/app/films/2751/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=www.valleyfilmfest.com}}{{Cite web|title='Vida' to vie at American short film event|url=https://en.ifilmtv.com/Iran/Content/27536|access-date=2020-06-09|website=ifilm-آیفیلم|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=فیلم کوتاه ویدا جایزه Indie & Foreign film Festival را دریافت کرد|url=http://www.iycs.ir/portal/newsview/4249/فیلم-کوتاه-ویدا-جایزه-indie-foreign-film-festival-را-دریافت-کرد/|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.iycs.ir|language=fa}}
She was also a member of the selection committee of the Winter Film Awards.{{Cite web|date=2018-01-06|title=WFA 2018 Awards Ceremony, Gala Red Carpet + After Party {{!}} Winter Film Awards|url=https://winterfilmawards.com/event/wfa-2018-awards/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=فیدان - اخبار - بیتا الهیان جزو هیات انتخاب جوایز winter film آمریکا شد|url=http://www.fidanfilm.ir/بیتا-الهیان-جزو-هیات-انتخاب-جوایز-winter-film-آم/|last=|first=|date=2017-07-20|website=فیدان|language=fa-IR|archive-url=|archive-date=}}
Influence
Her work focuses on women's empowerment.{{Cite web|date=2013-11-19|title=نمایشنامه "از بیت المقدس تا اریحا" خوانش می‌شود|url=http://cinemapress.ir/news/45808/نمایشنامه-از-بیت-المقدس-تا-اریحا-خوانش-می-شود|access-date=2020-06-09|website=اخبار سینمای ایران و جهان - سینماپرس|language=fa}} Currently, she is a member of New York Women in Film & Television and Women in Film LA.{{Cite web|date=2017-09-27|title=Bita Elahian receives Honorable Mention at Los Angeles Movie Awards|url=https://cineequal.org/bita-elahian-receives-honorable-mention-los-angeles-movie-awards/|access-date=2020-06-09|website=CineEqual|language=en-US}}
Filmography
- Short Films:
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role |
| 2014
|The Seventh Day |Director |
| 2015
|Hills Like White Elephants Cafe |Actress |
| 2016
|Beautiful Dream |Director |
| 2016
|Red Rose |Assistant Director |
| 2016
|An Ideal Marriage |Actress ,Assistant Director |
| 2017
|Blame |Director, Executive Producer, Writer |
| 2018
|X |Actress |
| 2019
|Vida |Actress, Director, Executive producer, Writer |
Performances
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role |
| 2011
|Lobby |Director |
| 2009
|Crimes of the Heart |Director |
| 2013
|De Jerusalén a Jericó |Director |
Awards and nominations
- Vida (Short Film)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION
- #The Valley Film Festival 2019 "Los Angeles"
- #Awareness Festival 2019
- #KRAF 2019
- #Indie & Foreign Film Festival 2019 "New York" (WON : The Best Narrative Short Film School Student) {{Cite web|title=VIDA|url=https://www.indieforfilmfest.com/vida|access-date=2020-06-10|website=IndieForeignFilmFest|language=en|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610121826/https://www.indieforfilmfest.com/vida|url-status=dead}}
- #Goa Short Film Festival 2019 {{Cite web|title=Goa Short Film Festival 2020|url=http://www.marathichitrapatparivar.com/GSFF/default.htm|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.marathichitrapatparivar.com}}
- #Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival 2020 {{Cite web|title=Official Selections – FMB Filmfest|url=https://fmbifilmfest.com/official-selections/|access-date=2020-08-28|language=en-US}}
- #San Diego Film Week 2020 {{Cite web|title=Vida|url=https://sdfilmweek.com/2020/movies/vida/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=2020 San Diego Film Week|language=en-US|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227220346/https://sdfilmweek.com/2020/movies/vida/|url-status=dead}}
- #Sensus Film Festival 2020
- #Through Women's Eyes International Film Festival 2020 {{Cite web|title=2020 Films & Schedule – Through Women's Eyes International Film Festival|url=http://www.throughwomenseyes.com/2020-lineup/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US}}
- #Los Angeles Women's International Doc Fest 2020 {{Cite web|title=Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival|url=https://lawomensfest.com/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=lawomensfest.com}}
- #The Women's Film Festival 2020 {{Cite web|title=Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival|url=https://lawomensfest.com/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=lawomensfest.com}}
- #World of Woman Film Fair Middle East 2020
- #International Migration Film Festival 2020 {{Cite web|last=mynmeiskn|title=Vida|url=https://migrationff.com/films/vida/|access-date=2020-06-21|website=International Migration Film Festival|language=en-US}}
- Blame (Short Film)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION
- #Other Venice Film Festival 2017
- #Los Angeles Movie Awards 2017 (WON : Honorable Mention) {{Cite web|title=2017 Fall Winners|url=http://www.thelamovieawards.com/2017_Fall_Winners.html|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.thelamovieawards.com}}
- #One Reeler Short Film Competition 2017
- #*(WON : Award of Excellence) {{Cite web|title=Award of Excellence – "Blame" (USA) – One-Reeler.net|date=June 9, 2015 |url=https://www.one-reeler.net/award-of-excellence-blame-usa/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US}}
- #*(WON : The Best Actor) {{Cite web|title=Best Actor – Brian Reilly, "Blame" (USA) – One-Reeler.net|date=June 9, 2015 |url=https://www.one-reeler.net/best-actor-brian-reilly-blame-usa/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US}}
- #The Best Shorts Competition 2017 {{Cite web|title=Award of Merit September 2017 {{!}}|url=https://bestshorts.net/past-winners/award-of-merit-september-2017/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US}}
- #*(WON : Award of Merit - Women Filmmakers(Student))
- #*(WON : Film Short (Student))
- #California Women's Film Festival 2018 (WON : 3rd Place Audience Award)
- #International Movie Awards 2018 {{Cite web|title=Winners of the International Movie Awards|url=http://internationalmovieawards.com/IMA/2018/winners-2018.htm|access-date=2020-06-10|website=internationalmovieawards.com}}
- #*(WON : GOLD AWARDS - Director)
- #*(WON : PLATINUM AWARDS - International Short Film )
- #*(WON : AWARDS OF MERIT - Editor)
- #Marina Del Rey Film Festival 2018 {{Cite web|title=2018 Program {{!}} Marina del Rey Film Festival|url=https://www.marinadelreyfilmfestival.com/2018-program|access-date=2020-06-10|website=MDR Film Festival|language=en}}
- #Hollywood Art & Movie Awards 2018 {{Cite web|date=2017-09-02|title=Schedule of events|url=https://hollywoodartandmovieawards.wordpress.com/schedule-of-events/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=The Hollywood Art and Movie Awards|language=en}}
- #48 Independent Short Film Festival 2017 {{Cite web|title=BEST AWARD WINNERS OF THE 48ISFF 2017|url=https://www.48isff.com/winners/2017/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=48isff|language=en}}
- #Logcinema Art Films 2018
- #Utah Film Festival 2018 {{Cite web|title=Semi Finalists – The Utah Film Festival|url=http://www.theutahfilmawards.com/screenwriting-semi-finalists/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709001939/http://www.theutahfilmawards.com/screenwriting-semi-finalists/|url-status=dead}}
- Beautiful Dream (Short Film)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION
- #Spotlight Horror Film Awards 2016 (WON : The Best Drama Short)
- #Los Angeles Film Awards 2017 (WON; Honorable Mention: Indie Film) {{Cite web|title=April 2017|url=https://www.lafilmawards.net/april-2017|access-date=2020-06-10|website=LA Film Awards|language=en}}
- #Hollywood Film Competition 2017 (WON : The Best Drama Film)
- #Women's Only Entertainment Film Festival 2017 (WON : The Best Female Director)
- #Mindfield Film Festival "Los Angeles" 2017 (WON : Platinum Award - Best Student Short) {{Cite web|title=Mindfield Film Festival - Los Angeles|url=http://la.mindfieldfilmfest.com/june2017.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=la.mindfieldfilmfest.com}}
- #Top Shorts 2017 (WON : Best Student Film) {{Cite web|title=MAY 2017 (2018 Qualifying)|url=http://www.topshorts.net/winners-may-17|access-date=2020-06-11|website=TopShorts|language=en}}
- #Colortape Film Festival, AUS 2017 (WON : Best Short Film) {{Cite web|title=Colortape International Film Festival|url=http://www.colortapeinternational.com/winners&runnerups2017.php|access-date=2020-06-11|website=www.colortapeinternational.com}}
- #Festigious International Film Competition 2017 (WON :Best Drama) {{Cite web|title=APRIL 2017|url=https://www.festigious.com/april-2017|access-date=2020-06-10|website=festigious|language=en}}
- #Short to the Point International Film Festival 2017
- #Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque 2017 (WON: Best Short Film) {{Cite web|title=Mindfield Film Festival - Albuquerque|url=http://abq.mindfieldfilmfest.com/october2017.html|access-date=2020-06-10|website=abq.mindfieldfilmfest.com}}
- #Lake View International Film Festival 2017
- #IMA International Film Festival (India) 2017
- #Barcelona Planet Film Festival 2017
- #Aab International Film Festival (AIFF) 2017 {{Cite web|last=Production™|first=Script Factory|date=2018-11-17|title=Official Selection: March 2017|url=https://www.aabfest.com/post/official-selection-march-2017|access-date=2020-06-11|website=aiff|language=en|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611122321/https://www.aabfest.com/post/official-selection-march-2017|url-status=dead}}
- #The European Independent Award 2017
- #Gold Movie Awards Goddess Nike 2018
- #Festival Silhouette 2018 (WON : Semi-Finalist)
- The seventh day (Short Film)
- OFFICIAL SELECTION
- #Third Eye 14 Asian Film Festival 2015
- #Kolkata International Film Festival 2015
- #6th Iran Cinema Celebration 2015
- #32nd Tehran International short Film Festival 2015
- #Direct Short and Documentary Film Festival 2015
- #12th Akbank Short Film Festival 2016
- #Yari Persian Film Festival 2016
- #I Filmmaker International Film Festival 2016 "Special Mention"
- #ُShort to the Point 2017 {{Cite web|title=MARCH 2017 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS – SHORT TO THE POINT – SHORT to the Point|url=https://spunepescurt.ro/2017/04/21/march-2017-official-selections-short-to-the-point/|access-date=2020-06-10|language=en-US|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610191434/https://spunepescurt.ro/2017/04/21/march-2017-official-selections-short-to-the-point/|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist| refs =
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External links
- {{Official website|https://uniquedirecting.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|nm8121594|name=Bita Elahian}}
- {{Instagram|id=bitaelahian|name=Bita Elahian}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elahian, Bita}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:American film producers
Category:American film actresses
Category:Film directors from Los Angeles
Category:American women film directors
Category:Iranian emigrants to the United States
Category:Iranian film producers
Category:Iranian film directors
Category:Iranian film actresses