Maryam Khalilzadeh is an Iranian illustrator and animation filmmaker currently based in Finland. She recently earned recognition as an alumna of Berlinale Talents 2024. She graduated from Re: Anima, a joint Master's program in Animation held across three European universities: Luca School of Art in Genk, Belgium; Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon, Portugal; and Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland. Her academic achievements also include a BA in Graphic Design and an MA in Animation from the University of Art in Tehran. Maryam's experience extends across various roles in animated filmmaking, from directing and screenwriting to animation, concept and layout art, storyboarding, and background design. Her portfolio comprises seven short films, each of which has been showcased at esteemed film festivals like Annecy, Tricky Women, St. Louis, and San Diego Comic-Con. Throughout her films, she integrates poetic themes and narratives with her unique graphic style.
Filmography
(2024) A Hot Bowl of Soup (in Development)
(2023-2024) My Mother Became a Bird (in Development)
(2021) Up to the Sea, She Weaves a Dream
(2017) Butterfly
(2012) White Pigeon by the Mirror
(2010) The Woman Sings Under the Ice
(2009) Photo
(2006) Approximately
Selected Awards
Special Prize Gimpo International Youth Film Festival, (The Kitchen In The Sky) 2022
Best Animated Film 35 Girona Film Festival, Spain, (Up to the sea, she weaves a dream) 2021
Best Animated Film, 33rd Tehran International Animation Festival, Iran, (Butterfly) 2016
Candidate for Best Graphic and Art Direction, 8th Celebration of Iranian Animation Cinema, Iran, (Butterfly) 2016
Best Animated Film, 3rd International Festival of Women Film Directors, Iran, (White Pigeon) 2013
Best Music Award, 7th Tehran International Animation Festival, Iran (A Woman Sings Under the Ice) 2011
Candidate for receiving Merit figure of the best sound editing, best directing, best screenplay, best
film, Best Music Award, 14th Ceremony of Iranian Cinema, Iran, (A Woman Sings Under the Ice) 2011
Best director, 25th Isfahan International Children Film Festival, Iran, (A Woman Sings Under the Ice) 2011
Best sound designing and the Honorary Diploma for the best animation, 28th National & 16th International
Tehran Short Film Festival, (A Woman Sings Under the Ice) 2011
Best animated film, 2nd International Festival of Women Film Directors, Iran, (A Woman Sings Under the Ice) 2011
Best animated film, National Festival of Young Iranians, Tehran, (Photo) 2010
Special Mention, Cultural Heritage Organization Festival, Tehran, Iran, (Photo) 2009
Best animated Film, 4th National Festival of Women Film Directors, Iran, (Photo) 2009
Candidate for receiving Worthiness Figure for Best Sound Editing, Best Graphic, and Art Direction, 4th.Celebration of
Iranian Animation Cinema, Iran, (Photo) 2010
Crystal Roc of the best-animated Film, 29th International Fajar Film Festival, (Photo) 2009
Best animated Film, 23rd National & 11th International Tehran Short Film Festival, (Approximately) 2007
Honorary diploma, 5th Tehran International Animation Festival, Iran, (Approximately) 2007
Honorary diploma, 5th Iran Student Film and Photo Festival, (Approximately) 2007