Children carry new books to their classroom.
Sahar has worked on productions which aired both nationally and internationally. She has produced a full length documentary for Iowa University’s International Writing Program. Her short form feature and news pieces, airing on Voice of America, have impacted thousands all over the world. Most recently her work as Executive Producer, Director, and Filmmaker of the TV Show ZirZameen has received national and international attention.
Sahar has worked on national TV shows (Animal Planet/Sirens Media), commercials (Casey Neistat), and video based websites (Inthemo.com). She received a Master of Arts in Film and Video at Emerson College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at George Mason University.
In her free time, she enjoys taking photographs and filming short films and music videos. One piece Sahar created on her iphone, is nominated at the May 2012 Iphone Film Festival.
ZirZameen: A six series short documentary TV show based on underground artists and activists around the world. Broadcast in Persian through satellite and in English on the web. Receiving national and international attention for personal character driven storytelling.
Writing in Motion – A Nation Divided: A full length documentary on eight international writers journey through America’s historical downfalls and recoveries.
Crew on documentary – Finalist & Winner in two categories (Best Use of Archive and Best Use of Theme)The International Documentary Challenge with screening at the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival. Worked as crew on PENNYWISE: THE CHANGING FACE OF CHANGE for The International Documentary Challenge.
Writing in Motion – A Nation Divided: Featured in the Landlocked Film Festival in October of 2012 in the Feature Documentary Category.
Instagram in 30 days- Short film produced on the iphone. Nominated for Best Film in Iphone Film Festival 3.
Crew on documentary – Finalist & Winner in two categories (Best Use of Archive and Best Use of Theme)The International Documentary Challenge with screening at the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival. Worked as crew on PENNYWISE: THE CHANGING FACE OF CHANGE for The International Documentary Challenge.
In Iran, the ‘Harlem Shake’ could be revolutionary:February 22, 2013 (article by MSNBC.COM) — ZirZameen’s access to Iranian televisions creates a unique opportunity to reach the heavily-censored Farsi-speaking market. With this power ZirZameen is trying to expose Iranians to examples of art and activism that are unavailable or hard to access for much of that country. Executive Producer Sahar Sarshar explained her intentions on Facebook:
VOA Show ‘ZirZameen’ Explores Art and Activism: January 11, 2013 — Unconventional artists and activists narrate their own stories on a new VOA program that seeks to connect underground communities in Iran and the rest of the world.
VOA’s Story ‘The Daily Show Goes to Iran’ Grabs Big Audiences : Washington, D.C., November 25, 2009 – A Voice of America (VOA) story about the humorous experiences of two staffers from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in Iran is enjoying huge online success, with the producer saying it gives viewers a different view of the country.
Ex-Iranian Diplomat in Norway Quit to Support Countrymen: VOA Exclusive : Washington, D.C., January 15, 2010 – Iran’s former Consul General in Norway, who resigned his post to protest his government’s treatment of demonstrators, told the Voice of America (VOA) he quit to show his support for his countrymen.
Panelist on International Coverage of Women: The 2008 Journalism and Women Symposium Conference in Bartlett, N.H. Presentation and Speech about the importance of knowing the culture you’re broadcasting to.
JAWS MULTIMEDIA TRAINING, 2009: Volunteer video editing instructor – using Final Cut Pro and Flip Video Cameras.
AIDS WALK AFRICA: Fundraised over $10,000 for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and participated in international five day walking event in March 2007.
— “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” -Antoine De Saint Exupery
