Co-Chair of the International Committee of the PGA since April of this year, Mashayekh talks to TLG about his journey from law to the very heart of the film industry and working with industry legends Vanessa Redgrave and Branko Lustig.

How did you become involved in the film business and what was your career path that took you from being an attorney to an international consultant for independent filmmakers ?

It was simply a desire to challenge myself and work outside my comfort zone. My story is similar to many other Iranian immigrant children who land in the States. My parents were highly educated but lost everything in their home country. They were quite strict and believed you only had three career choices if you wanted to be a success - doctor, lawyer or engineer. It was ingrained in me that a strong education and career could not be taken away from you no matter what.

"Three years after my father passed away from brain cancer, and much to the dismay of my physician mother, I decided to jump head first into film. I have always been an animated person and love telling stories to entertain my friends. This, coupled with my tenacious attitude developed during my time as an attorney, gave me the self belief to go for it.

I went through hell for seven years with a tsunami of negativity while trying to get my first feature film, The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam (below), onto the screen. Thankfully my dedication paid off and I have now reached a point where I can guide others into pursuing their own goals and ambitions in the creative industry." >>>