Alireza Khatami (1980, Iran) is an independent filmmaker whose trademark is folding fantasy elements into otherwise realistic narratives. His works explore themes of memory, trauma and identity politics with dark humor and unapologetic wit. Alireza started his career in 2000 as an assistant to several prominent Iranian directors, including Asghar Farhadi. He later studied visual effects in Malaysia, and then went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts degree in film production from the Savannah College of Art & Design. His latest short film, Mr. Chang’s New Address, premiered at Director’s Fortnight of Cannes Film Festival. After teaching cinema in Beirut for three years he moved to Chicago, where he is now an assistant professor in the School of Cinematic Arts at DePaul University.