Hossein Molayemi

Hossein Molayemi (born 1982, Shiraz, Iran) is an Iranian animation, director, and designer.

Hossein Molayemi
Hossein Molayemi in 2024
Born	Hossein Molayemi 1982 (age 42–43) Shiraz, Iran
Education	Bachelor's in Graphics from Soore University Master's in Animation from the University of Art, Tehran
Occupation(s)	Animation director Professor at the University of Tehran
Known for	Winner of the 2025 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film
Notable work	In the Shadow of the Cypress
Spouse	Shirin Sohani[1]

Life

Molayemi graduated in painting from the Boys' Fine Arts High School of Karaj in 2000, earning a bachelor's degree in Graphics from Soore University in 2006 and a master's degree in Animation from the University of Art in Tehran in 2010. In 2025, the short animated film In the Shadow of the Cypress, which he co-directed with his wife Shirin Sohani, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. This achievement marked Iran's first-ever Oscar in animation history.^[2]

Honors and awards

Year[3][4][5]	Film	Festival	Category	Result	Ref.
2024–2025	In the Shadow of the Cypress	97th Academy Awards	Best Animated Short Film	Winner	[6][7]
		41st Tehran International Short Film Festival	Best Animated Film (National Competition)	Winner	[8]
		Tribeca Film Festival	Best Animated Short	Winner	[9]
		Animayo International Film Festival	Grand Jury Prize for Best International Film	Winner	[10]
		13th Tehran International Animation Festival	Best Animation, Best Character Design, Best Animators, and International Honorary Diploma	Winner	[11]
		28th LA Shorts International Film Festival	Best Animation	Winner	[12]
		47th Drama International Short Film Festival	Best Animation	Winner	[13]
		Annecy International Animated Film Festival	Crystal Award for Best Short Film	Nominated	[14]
		52nd Annie Awards	Annie Award for Best Animated Short Subject	Nominated	[15]
		Melbourne International Film Festival	City of Melbourne Award	Nominated	[16]
		Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival	Canal+ Award	Nominated	[17]
		80th Venice Film Festival	Horizons Award for Best Short Film	Nominated	[18]
	Run Rostam Run[19]	20th Iran Cinema Celebration	Honorary Diploma for Best Animation	Winner	[20]
		Isfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth	Best International Animation	Winner
		10th Tehran International Animation Biennial	Golden Statue for Best Animator	Winner	[21]
		6th International Urban Film Festival	Best Director	Winner
		6th International Urban Film Festival	Best Animated Film	Nominated
		6th International Urban Film Festival	Best Animator	Nominated
		10th Iran Animation Celebration	Best Director	Winner
		10th Iran Animation Celebration	Best Film	Nominated
		35th Tehran International Short Film Festival	Best Animated Film (Audience Choice)	Winner

Career

Source:^[22]

• Founder of Barfak Studio (established 2014)
• Worked in 2D animation production at Haft-Nama Animation Company (Ghelghelak Studio), managed by Saeed Tarkhani (2003–2005)
• Contributed to teasers and clips for the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth (2005)
• Served as International Section Editor and Translator for the art quarterly Khat-Khati (2006)
• Worked at the Animation Film Studies and Production Center (affiliated with Islamic Propagation Organization) as a costume, weapon, and accessory designer for characters in the animated feature Peace Force, directed by Borzou Rafeipour (2007)
• Co-founder of Barfi Studio (established 2009)
• Founder and first secretary of the Scientific Association of Animation at the University of Art, Tehran (2007)

Notable Works

In the Shadow of the Cypress, a 2023 Iranian short animated film co-directed by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi.

Run Rostam Run, a 2016 Iranian short animated film

Filmography

• In the Shadow of the Cypress: Director, Producer, Character Designer, Layout Artist, Background Designer
• The Little Beetle: Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist
• Commando: Character Designer, Background Artist, Layout Artist
• Red Line: Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, Lead Animator, Editor
• The Neighbors (TV series): Art Director, Character Designer
• The Champions (TV series): Director, Character Designer
• Editor of the short animated film The Fan, directed by Shirin Sohani (2014)

Achievements

• Oscar winner for Best Animated Short Film for In the Shadow of the Cypress at the 2025 Academy Awards^[23][24][25]