Her father Reza Nabavi, is a cinematographer, and was her biggest influence. Manoosh Nabavi was born in Tehran, Iran. She started working in the movie and entertainment industry since she was a child. Quickly progressing as photographer, at the age of 18, she started her own media company in Tehran that she left when she moved to Los Angeles in 2010. At the beginning of her new life in Los Angeles she established herself as an international award winning photographer. Her works have been showcased around the world, from Moscow to Tokyo, Thailand, Paris, then Los Angeles and New York. During these years she received various photography awards such as the PX3 bronze award in Paris 2014, Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA) 2014 and 2015, Tokyo International Foto Award (TIFA) in 2014, and the Exposure award in 2015 which resulted in her work being displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.But there is more. She also has been awarded as one of the ‘Top 6 Photographers in L.A.’ by Expertise Publication Three years in a row and ‘Top 10 Talented Photographers
in L.A.’ by Create Fixate and MOPLA in 2012. With these headlines under her belt, she quickly progressed to being published as a cover photo of Apparel News for LA Mode 2017, Eastern Eye Magazine UK 2013, Photographer’s Forum magazine 2015, Photography Vibes 2011, LA Fashion week 2017 and 2019, Porsche Design Magazine 2017, and ESCADA 2017.
Beside her activity as a photographer she also focuses in the film and TV industry as she has been producing, casting, and coordinating live events. She has coordinated over 40 massive live shows internationally in her tenure. A versatile artist who has also recently opened a motion picture studio in Los Angeles called Cinema Town Studios. She partnered with her brother Arash Nabavi to bring Cinema Town Studios to life. Being an enthusiastic filmmaker herself, it was important to her to help create a space that can give back to the eager independent film community. Manoosh at work is a pro, a real machine! She is very organized and disciplined whether it’s her private life or her professional life. She always pays attention to details and she is always at her best. Just like at work Manoosh is a very giving person in her private life. She cares a lot about others and enjoys being cared. Here it is a short interview with Manoosh Nabavi, the Iranian artist and entrepreneur, probably one of the few in Los Angeles to own a film production company.
NAP- How is Manoosh?-
MN – I’m a social person and getting to know different people and hearing about their struggles, challenges and life stories gives me the courage to create something as an artist that other people can connect to whether it’s a motion picture or a still image and that’s very satisfying.
NAP – Can you describe Tehran? –
MN – Tehran is the capital of Iran,one of the largest and most populous cities in the world. when you walk on the street, you see people hanging out in cafes and restaurants, and the food is to die for. It’s a lively city, with a lot of remarkable buildings, parks, and tourist attractions. The theater scene in Tehran is one you should not miss. There are countless theaters around town that put on amazing shows.Tehran is surrounded by massive mountains, which in my opinion add a soothing effect to the city’s hustle and bustle. There’s something calming about looking at them. –
NAP – What do you miss about Tehran and what you don’t? –
MN – I miss the warmth and hospitality of my people, my friends and family, all the gatherings, going to art events and theatres and of course the taste of food! I don’t miss the chaos in the streets, people’s driving, air pollution and an unorganized system. –
NAP – Is there a traditional song that most reminds you your Tehran? –
MN – A few songs by Homayoun Shajarian and one of my favorites is called “ One breath of your desire” that reminds me of Iran and it makes me emotional. –
NAP – How was the social impact as Iranian in United States? –
MN – It took me a few years to get adapted to the new culture. It’s still a learning process. People would ignore me or refuse hanging out with me because I was a stranger to them. There were a lot of things that were different, something that have always been surprising to me was when people in America would come to me and say “oh you’re from Iran? Nice! So you speak Arabic!” And…” you guys have a lot of camels there because it’s hot” and everytime I had to explain to them that we speak “Farsi” in Iran and there’s no camel there and it has 4 seasons. –
NAP – Does Iranian community support artist abroad? –
MN – Iran has one of the richest art heritages in world history and has been strong in many media including architecture, painting, weaving, pottery, filmmaking, calligraphy, metalworking and sculpture, so Iranian community has always been supporting artists abroad. There are a few no profit organizations based in Los Angeles that support artists such as Farhang Foundation, KCIS and Docunight which supports Iranian documentary filmmakers . –
NAP – What are you currently working on? –
MN – I just finished a sci-fi feature film that I was the lead producer for. As mentioned I’ve opened up a movie studio in Los Angeles and I’m pretty busy with running the stage, probably one of the few Iranian female filmmaker in Los Angeles who owns a studio with high-end Hollywood clients, so that has been keeping me super busy. I also was planning to shoot my first movie about 4 years ago but it’s a very personal emotional script. –
Links and contacts:
IG: ManooshMedia
