Zahra AhooeiInternational collaboration with the Artist Protection Fund: Zahra Ahooei
OBORO is pleased to welcome Iranian filmmaker Zahra Ahooei to its residency program through an international collaboration with the Artist Protection Fund (New York). Echoing OBORO’s core value of fostering a culture of peace, the Artist Protection Fund (APF) provides fellowship grants to artists at risk—across all disciplines—and places them with host institutions in safe countries where they can continue their work and plan for their futures.
As part of her year-long APF Fellowship in residence at OCAD, Zahra Ahooei will have the opportunity to stay at OBORO’s studio residency at various times over the coming year to advance the production of her experimental film Houselight. Access to OBORO’s New Media Lab—including its image and sound studios, equipment, and specialized technicians—together with consultations with the centre’s artistic director, networking opportunities, increased visibility, and a dedicated workspace—will provide vital support for the development of her cinematic project.
Zahra Ahooei is an Iranian filmmaker, writer, and video editor currently based in Montreal. She has directed several short narrative films, including Reflex (2024), Prestige (2020), Sign Out (2017), and Extra Time (2015), which have been screened internationally and recognized with various awards. Her background also includes years of experience in journalism, television writing, and content creation for both broadcast and digital platforms. In 2024, Zahra participated in the Newcomer Filmmentor program at the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), where she developed Houselight, her current feature project. In 2025, she was selected for RIDM’s Doc Lab Montréal and presented the project to an international production jury. Additionally, in October 2025, she was awarded a prestigious Artist Protection Fund (APF) fellowship and residency through 2026.
