NYWIFT Blog

By Mariana Valencia

Welcome to NYWIFT, Fozhan Gharib!

Fozhan (Fou) Gharib is a New York-based filmmaker, editor, and screenwriter who transitions seamlessly between performance and cinematic storytelling.

After studying for her Master’s in Screenwriting at the University of Tehran, she relocated to the U.S. in 2023, earning a Master’s in Media Studies from The New School.

Her work weaves psychological drama with a deeply poetic exploration of memory and resilience. Fou’s recent award-winning narrative short, Night of Melancholia, has screened at prestigious festivals globally and across New York City, cementing her voice as a vital new force in independent cinema.

In our interview, Fozhan discussed her journey into filmmaking, the various inspirations behind her work, and her passion for building her projects from the ground up.

NYWIFT Member Fozhan Gharib

Welcome to NYWIFT! Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

My name is Fozhan Gharib, but I usually go by Fou. I come from a rich acting background in theater and short films back in Iran, which deeply shaped my understanding of performance and character. My passion for the craft led me to study for my Master’s degree in Screenwriting at the University of Tehran.

In August 2023, right as I was about to defend my thesis, I made the life-changing move to the United States to pursue a second Master’s in Media Studies at The New School. Moving here allowed me to fully branch out into directing, taking everything I learned from acting and dramatic writing and channeling it into a singular visual language.

NYWIFT Member Fozhan on film monitor.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

As a female filmmaker building a new life and career in New York, finding a community of like-minded, supportive creators is everything. I’ve been told by like-minded creators  how incredible NYWIFT is, and joining was an absolute priority for me.

To me, organizations like NYWIFT are crucial because they don’t just champion women in film; they create a sacred space for our unique perspectives, give us the resources to amplify our voices, and build a creative sisterhood that pushes the boundaries of independent cinema.

Fozhan with her crew on set.

How has your Iranian identity inspired your way of storytelling?

My heritage heavily influences my focus on memory, poetic resistance, and nostalgia. Coming from a country that is constantly under the global microscope forces a unique kind of resilience onto you. I lived through the Woman, Life, Freedom movement first-hand; I was on the ground, in the streets, and even stood in the line of fire.

That raw reality directly inspired my recent thesis film, Night of Melancholia, a political psychological drama that explores that very survival. Seeing it embraced by the Big Apple Film Festival, the New York Short Film Festival, Cannes Indie Shorts, Independent Shorts Awards has been deeply validating.

My identity isn’t just a backdrop, it is a vital part of my creative DNA that drives me to transform collective grief and resistance into a cinematic art form. 

Poster of Fozhan’s new film Night of Melancholia

What films, actors/actresses, and stories have inspired your way of directing and filmmaking?

David Lynch has always been my ultimate creative compass; his ability to craft mysterious, poetic, and subconscious cinema is unmatched. Losing him last year felt deeply personal because films like Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, and The Straight Story completely redefined what cinema could be for me.

Because of my deep roots in acting, performance is everything to me. I look at actresses like Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Olivia Colman, and Frances McDormand as my four artistic goddesses. They possess a fierce, uncompromising dedication to truth on screen that I always aspire to bring out in the actors I direct or even when I’m acting myself.

NYWIFT Member Fazhan on set.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of bringing your stories to life on the big screen?

Since I was a little girl, I’ve been fascinated by One Thousand and One Nights and the archetype of Scheherazade. I truly believe that storytelling is the greatest magic in the world. The most rewarding part of filmmaking is the emotional echo. When I write a scene, I feel a specific warmth, nostalgia, or tension.

When the film plays on a big screen and I ask an audience member how a moment made them feel, getting an answer that mirrors exactly what I felt while typing the script is an indescribable feeling. It’s the ultimate human connection.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?

If you truly love what you do, you have to keep moving forward no matter what the world throws at you. I wanted to be an actress since I was six years old. Against all odds, through shifting borders and completely changing industries, I kept going. I’m not saying I am exactly where my ultimate goals are just yet, but I am incredibly proud of the path I’m on, and I am deeply enjoying the ride.

Fozhan with members of her crew.

What project(s) are you currently working on that our readers should be on the lookout for?

I am currently in an intense, exciting development phase! I’m working on three major projects: a workplace sitcom pilot, a fantasy short film, and a sci-fi feature. We are currently location scouting, polishing the scripts, and assembling our creative teams, which is one of my favorite parts of the process, as I love bringing talented people together.

Most importantly, due to the incredible reception of Night of Melancholia, I am currently expanding it into a full-length feature film to explore those characters and themes on a much larger canvas

Connect with Fozhan Gharib on Instagram at @foujeanne and on her website www.fougharib.com/film to learn more about her film Night of Melancholia at @nightofmelancholia.

(All images courtesy of Fozhan Gharib)