Our Founders

Making the World a Better Place Together

Pezhman Hadavi

Jennifer Jackson, PHD

Maziyar Sharafabadi

Pezhman Hadavi

“The world of cinema is my passion and planet earth is my home”

Jennifer Jackson, PhD

 

Maziyar Sharafabadi

“I don’t know what I don’t know, but I can think of no greater frontier to explore”

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Pezhman Hadavi

As a dynamic filmmaker and producer with a rich tapestry of experiences across continents, Pezhman Hadavi brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the BCEFF judging panel. Having lived in Iran for a significant part of his life, followed by five years in Kenya and over a decade in Canada, Pezhman embodies a blend of diverse cultural insights and global film expertise.

His production portfolio spans an impressive range of locations, including Kenya, Cyprus, Spain, Dubai, Canada (Vancouver and Toronto), and Iraq. Currently, he is involved in creating a feature in Canada, with the first episode shot in Toronto. His role as a judge has been recognized in first Canada, Europe, and Asia Film Festival -CEAFF and he is excited to serve as one of the judges at the Mashariki 2023 film festival in Kigali, Rwanda.

Pezhmnan is the founder of Aria Persys Film Production, the Iranian Film Society, and the Vancouver Iranian Film Society, as well as the co-founder of Radrou Pictures and the British Columbia Environmental Film Festival. He also plays a pivotal role as a board member of RESO in Vancouver. As a Vancouver-based producer and film distributor, he has organized and participated in hundreds of film-related events and festivals in Canada, Iran, Kenya, and South Africa.

His talents extend to acting, where he has appeared in feature films, further enriching his comprehensive understanding of the cinematic world. His depth of experience and passion for film make him an esteemed and insightful member of the BCEFF judging panel.

Email:  ph@bceff.org 

Jennifer Jackson, PHD

Jennifer Jackson obtained her PhD from UBC in 2011, where she discovered a new layer in the Arctic Ocean that influences sea ice melt. Since then, she has studied the coastal waters of South Africa and the British Columbia where she studies changes in temperature and oxygen and how they influence the marine ecosystem. Jennifer is passionate about sharing science with people through film.

Email:  jjackson@bceff.org

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1517285735039

Jennifer Jackson

Jennifer Jackson obtained her PhD from UBC in 2011, where she discovered a new layer in the Arctic Ocean that influences sea ice melt. Since then, she has studied the coastal waters of South Africa and the British Columbia where she studies changes in temperature and oxygen and how they influence the marine ecosystem. Jennifer is passionate about sharing science with people through film.

Email:  jjackson@bceff.org

 

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Maziyar Sharafabadi

Having grown up near the beaches of southern California, Maziyar’s passion for the environment has always been an integral part of his life. Since completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration, he has managed financial and information systems for a variety of organizations for the past two decades. In 2016 he obtained his degree from Bastyr University as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine for the joy of the knowledge that education entailed. As he says: “I don’t know what I don’t know, but I can think of no greater frontier to explore.”

Email:  ms@bceff.org