Essy Niknejad was born in Tehran on June 1960, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that would shape his future as a filmmaker. At the tender age of 13, he had a life-changing encounter with the renowned Swedish filmmaker, Ingmar Bergman, which sparked his passion for making movies. From that moment on, Niknejad's desire to write, direct, and produce films grew exponentially, and he began making short and feature films even before completing his college education.
As he navigated his homeland, Niknejad's creative energy and innovative spirit led him to produce multiple short and feature films. His talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he soon found himself in the midst of a war-torn country, where he made five documentaries between 1982 and 1984. One of his feature documentaries, "Barricade" (1983),catapulted him to fame, earning him widespread recognition and accolades.
Niknejad's authenticity as a filmmaker shone through in his feature film, "Bloody Rice" (1984),which was inspired by a true story and tackled a highly controversial political subject matter. This courageous endeavor earned him an Honorary Diploma at the Tashkent Film Festival in USSR, solidifying his reputation as a bold and uncompromising filmmaker.
Undeterred by the challenges he faced, Niknejad continued to push boundaries, creating his next miniseries, "The Fall of Sahara" (1985),which explored the world of ideology through the lens of a divorced woman. This groundbreaking work was later broadcast on PBS in the US in 1994, cementing Niknejad's status as a trailblazing filmmaker.
The turning point in Niknejad's career came when he immigrated to the US in 1986, allowing him to pursue further education. He enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television in 1990. This educational foundation enabled him to direct TV segments for ABC's "Eye on LA" and later secure more TV episodes, including "Sighting" for Fox.
Niknejad's thirst for knowledge and expertise led him to enroll at Wayne State University in Michigan, where he pursued his Ph.D. in Film & Television. Upon completing his education, he founded his production company, INPinc, in Los Angeles in 1997.
Throughout his illustrious career, Niknejad has been a member of various professional organizations and cultural institutions, solidifying his position as a respected figure in the film industry. His unwavering dedication to his craft has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, inspiring generations of filmmakers to come.
