Influential Woman · Film/Cinema

Negin Mohajerani

Course Facilitator, Ohio University

Athens, OH

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Interior Architecture Degree Master's Degree in Cinema (in progress at Ohio University)

Her Story

About Negin

I'm originally from Iran, where I completed my bachelor's degree in interior architecture before making the bold decision to pursue my true passion in cinema. When I told people I was applying for a master's program in film in another country, everyone around me said no, it's not gonna happen, that I was wasting my time and energy. Even though half my heart was scared, I still did it. Now I'm a graduate student at Ohio University studying film, and I'm working toward my dream of becoming a famous director while also planning to work professionally in editing. I was inspired to pursue this path by my editing teacher in Iran, Hassan Hassandoost, who is a famous, award-winning editor. During his classes, he was so passionate about what he was talking about that you could feel he's doing the best thing that he can do in the world. You could see that this person is in his right place, doing his passion, and that really inspired me to pursue cinema. I believe that in the film industry, having connections and making human connections with people can lift you up so much better than anything else.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Negin

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

One of my teachers told me that the best place to go is the place that you have your supplement, the place that you can provide the materials you want for the job that you're doing. I think he was saying that you should go where you can get the resources and materials you need to do the work you want to do. That advice really stuck with me because it's about finding the right environment that supports your creative goals.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I know it's really hard to give advice from where I am standing right now, because I didn't go to the end myself, and I feel like I'm not in the space to say anything. But I feel like maybe having persistence and honestly, trying your chances is so important. I know that some people might not see themselves, and they think that it's not their place to dare to try for their dreams. In my situation, I didn't study film for my bachelor, my bachelor was in interior architecture. When everyone around me understood that I'm applying for a master in another country for cinema, they were just telling me, no, it's not gonna happen, and like, you're wasting your time and energy. And I still did it, even if I was like, half of my heart would be scared. I still did it. So just keep doing it, even if you're still afraid of it, or you think that you cannot achieve it, just try it, and if it didn't happen, well, it was not yours, but at least you tried.

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