Cinemote

04/19/2026

Not a time to celebrate but a reminder that the fight for democracy still goes on. The Illegal is screening today at the Social Justice Film Festival in Seattle today. In the light of the January massacre in Iran and the ongoing war between Iran and US, this film has never been timely and relevant. If you have seen the film, please share your thoughts with us.

Also last month it played at Beloit International Film Festival in Wisconsin but sadly we couldn't promote the screening time due to lack of internet. Help us spread the message and peace.

Cast: lyad Mokhtar, Chloe Coyle, Andrew Bee,
Michael Masurkevitch
Writer and Director: Amir Kiani
Producer Krishna Kolanupaka
DOP: Justin Arjune
Editor: Majidazad Manesh
Composer: David Mesiha
Costume Designer: Monika Onoszko
AD: Santiago Loaiza Daza
MUA: Mykaela Wattie
Sound: Blair Cooper
Production Designer: Amir Kiani
Gaffer: Neel Sharma
Grip: Siddarth Sharma
Script supervisor: Mandie Kingsbury
Colourist: llias Adamis

10/25/2025

Today in Alabama; The Illegal will be screened at the 20th edition of

Feel humbled to be part of this event and can't be more thankful to our amazing talented team. 🙏

Cast: lyad Mokhtar, Chloe Coyle, Andrew Bee,
Michael Masurkevitch
Writer and Director: Amir Kiani
Producer Krishna Kolanupaka
DOP: Justin Arjune
Editor: Majid Azadmanesh
Composer: David Mesiha
Costume Designer: Monika Onoszko
AD: Santiago Loaiza Daza
MUA: Mykaela Wattie
Sound: Blair Cooper
Production Designer: Amir Kiani
Gaffer: Neel Sharma
Grip: Siddarth Sharma
Script supervisor: Mandie Kingsbury
Colourist: llias Adamis

09/27/2025

Another US Premiere 🙌🙌

Post 2 of 2! The final picks for Round 2. More films along with music videos!

“Drive-In Reverie” - Austin Harvey

When does a daydream become a nightmare?

“Musterion” - Meredith Johnson, Daniel Cunningham, music video

“Mystery of the Flower” - Sargon Saadi

A reclusive Syrian poet, captivated by the beauty of a discarded bouquet of flowers, is transported into a tapestry of his imagination to uncover life deepest truths.

“The Art of a Lie” - Cheyenne Puga

During the Christmas season, a family grapples with the painful reality of a loved one slipping away.

“Ride With Me” - Princeton Drake, Zach Mac, music video

“Fight” - Kevin Wayne, music video

“Somewhere Off 72” - Cole Johnson

Two drug mules in a romantic entanglement drive across the deep south with a bag of cash. However, a game of cat and mouse quickly ensues and only one of them will make off with the dough...

“Grace” - Sara Burris Hersh, Jay Galloway

A young girl has plans of going off to attend her dream college, but is torn between what's best for her or staying home to care for her mother, a victim of domestic violence. As her mother's depression worsens, Grace struggles weighing her dreams, her responsibility, and discerning what's right.

“Don’t Forget To Say Goodbye” - Alexander Zimmer, Jeremy Handrup

A short narrative film that explores loss, family, and the road.

“The Illegal” - Amir Kiani

A young asylum seeker must find a way to avoid deportation before his court hearing, as his new arrangement turns out to be an unexpected and unraveling affair.

09/19/2025

Let's talk about visual storytelling. Conclave is a fascinating study in color theory, composition, and framing—an example of truly masterful visual storytelling. The film contrasts primary colors with muted grays, whites, and blacks, using this palette not just for aesthetic beauty but as a symbolic language of conflict and allegiance. As Cardinal Belini declares, “It is a war, and you have to take your side.”
Notice how the contrasting colors always depict the weight of the conflict and hint on power balance. I can talk hours about the production design and cinematography of this masterpiece.

08/21/2025

Two great news in one post. That's how efficient we are lol! Happy to announce that we're are going to have the US premier of The Illegal at the Morehouse Human Rights Film Festival in Atlanta this September. We also had our Asian premier just a few days ago at the 15th annual Bengaluru International Short Film Festival in India. This of course wouldn't be possible without the talent and dedication of our entire team who made this film. Shoutout to all of you guys!

Cast: lyad Mokhtar, Chloe Coyle, Andrew Bee,
Michael Masurkevitch
Writer and Director: Amir Kiani
Producer Krishna Kolanupaka
DOP: Justin Arjune
Editor: Majid Azad Manesh
Composer: David Mesiha
Costume Designer: Monika Onoszko
AD: Santiago Loaiza Daza
MUA: Mykaela Wattie
Sound: Blair Cooper
Production Designer: Amir Kiani
Gaffer: Neel Sharma
Grip: Siddarth Sharma
Script supervisor: Mandie Kingsbury
Colourist: llias Adamis

05/09/2025

Death On Halloween Night is going to be on screen tonight at Shock Stock Horror and Underground Film Festival in London Ontario. If you're around, please come say hi. Let's say 6 pm!

03/28/2025

Casting Call
The Secret (Feature Film)
Shoot Date Late April- Early May
Ethnicity: Middle Eastern
Location: Toronto-Ottawa

Casting for the following roles

Leily: Female, 30-35 yrs old, must be fluent in English

Mahtab: Female 45-55 yrs old, must be fluent in English and Persian

Seyed: Male, 55-65 yrs old, must be fluent in Persian

Ava: Female, 45-55 Yrs old, Must be fluent in English

Union and Non-union members may apply.
Please submit headshots, resume and demo reel to [email protected]

03/28/2025

Spread the word please.
Casting Call
The Secret (Feature Film)
Shoot Date Late April- Early May
Ethnicity: Middle Eastern

Casting for the following roles

Leily: Female, 30-35 yrs old, must be fluent in English

Mahtab: Female 45-55 yrs old, must be fluent in English and Persian

Seyed: Male, 55-65 yrs old, must be fluent in Persian

Ava: Female, 45-55 Yrs old, Must be fluent in English

Union and Non-union members may apply.
Please submit headshots, resume and demo reel to [email protected]

09/14/2024

Glad to announce that We're screening The Illegal in Tirana at the International Human Rights Film Festival Albania.

09/13/2024

We're honored to screen The Illegal at the 19th International Human Rights Film Festival Albania. The festival brings more attention to some of the most pressing issues about human rights and politics in the global stage. Let's fight for freedom for all regardless of background, ideology, religion, race, gender.

Cast: lyad Mokhtar, Chloe Coyle, Andrew Bee,
Michael Masurkevitch
Writer and Director: Amir Kiani
Producer Krishna Kolanupaka
DOP: Justin Arjune
Editor: Majid Azad Manesh
Composer: David Mesiha
Costume Designer: Monika Onoszko
AD: Santiago Loaiza Daza
MUA: Mykaela Wattie
Sound: Blair Cooper
Production Designer: Amir Kiani
Gaffer: Neel Sharma
Grip: Siddarth Sharma
Script supervisor: Mandie Kingsbury
Colourist: llias Adamis






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08/22/2024

And we're finally having a premiere at home. Hey Toronto friends, if you're around please join us tomorrow 9 pm at Innis Town Hall for the screening of The Illegal and meet some of our cast and crew.

Cast: lyad Mokhtar, Chloe Coyle, Andrew Bee,
Michael Masurkevitch
Writer and Director: Amir Kiani
Producer Krishna Kolanupaka
DOP: Justin Arjune
Editor: Majid Azad Manesh
Composer: David Mesiha
Costume Designer: Monika Onoszko
AD: Santiago Loaiza Daza
MUA: Mykaela Wattie
Sound: Blair Cooper
Production Designer: Amir Kiani
Gaffer: Neel Sharma
Grip: Siddarth Sharma
Script supervisor: Mandie Kingsbury
Colourist: llias Adamis





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