Local Film Spotlight: Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi

I hope that I will never stop being amazed by Calgary’s film scene. As a film buff, the more I learn about our city, the more I fall in love. From incredible local filmmakers, to cool film festivals (we now have more than fifteen), to directors that have used Calgary and the surrounding area as a backdrop for their films (parts of Doctor Zhivago were shot near Morley Flats) – Calgary is full of hidden cinematic gems. From now on I’ll be taking every Friday to explore all things awesome about film in Calgary as Calgary is Awesome’s Film Editor.

Although most people head to Sled Island for the music, the festival also features film and visual art. Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi, a local filmmaker, is pairing up with Sled Island for the fourth time to screen “The Score” a music video he made with local musician Samantha Savage Smith.

After travelling around the world for four years, Ramin studied at the University of Calgary. He received a degree in Economics and a degree in Religious Studies. “All my friends were studying photo at ACAD at the time and I ended up hanging out there a lot,” said Ramin. He collaborated with a friend on a class film project, and then began shooting weddings and small pieces to help fund his schooling. “A friend of a friend saw some of my work and offered to start a production company with me. A few years letter, after school was done I bought him out and Nur Films began.”

Ramin is the creative director of Nur Films. He has made two feature documentaries as well as a number of short films and music videos. His previous collaborations with Sled Island included a series of videos for Key to the City – a local band, a short film called “Graphic Life”, and a music video for the band Ghostkeeper.

“I approached Sam with a few ideas,” said Ramin. He chooses to only work with musicians whose work he enjoys. “I made a few videos in the past for artists I liked, but whose song might have not been my favourite. Those are the videos I like least. Needless to say, I loved Sam’s stuff.”