Hossein Molayemi (born 23 August 1982) is an Iranian animation director and designer.
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. The win marked Iran's first Academy Award in the animated film categories.
Early life and education Molayemi was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1982. He graduated from the Boys' Fine Arts High School of Karaj in 2000 with a diploma in painting. He later earned a bachelor's degree in graphics from Soore University in 2006 and a master's degree in animation from the University of Art in 2010.
Career From 2003 to 2005, Molayemi worked in 2D animation production at Ghelghelak Studio, where he contributed to videos for the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth. In 2006, he became international section editor and translator for the quarterly arts publication Khat-Khati.
In 2007, Molayemi worked as a costume, weapon, and accessory designer for Peace Force, an animated feature film directed by Borzou Rafeipour. That year, he also founded and became the first secretary of the Scientific Association of Animation at the University of Art.
In 2009, he co-founded Barfi Studio. In 2014, Molayemi and his wife, Shirin Sohani, co-founded Barfak Studio, an animation production company based in Iran.
Honors and awards YearFilmFestivalCategoryResultRef.2024–2025In the Shadow of the Cypress97th Academy AwardsBest Animated Short FilmWinner41st Tehran International Short Film FestivalBest Animated Film (National Competition)WinnerTribeca Film FestivalBest Animated ShortWinnerAnimayo International Film FestivalGrand Jury Prize for Best International FilmWinner13th Tehran International Animation FestivalBest Animation, Best Character Design, Best Animators, and International Honorary DiplomaWinner28th LA Shorts International Film Festival Best AnimationWinner47th Drama International Short Film Festival Best AnimationWinnerAnnecy International Animated Film FestivalCrystal Award for Best Short FilmNominated52nd Annie AwardsAnnie Award for Best Animated Short SubjectNominatedMelbourne International Film FestivalCity of Melbourne AwardNominatedClermont-Ferrand International Short Film FestivalCanal+ AwardNominated80th Venice Film FestivalHorizons Award for Best Short FilmNominatedRun Rostam Run20th Iran Cinema CelebrationHonorary Diploma for Best AnimationWinnerIsfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth Best International AnimationWinner10th Tehran International Animation BiennialGolden Statue for Best AnimatorWinner6th International Urban Film FestivalBest DirectorWinner6th International Urban Film FestivalBest Animated FilmNominated6th International Urban Film FestivalBest AnimatorNominated10th Iran Animation CelebrationBest DirectorWinner10th Iran Animation Celebration Best FilmNominated35th Tehran International Short Film FestivalBest Animated Film (Audience Choice)Winner
Filmography In the Shadow of the Cypress (2023): Director, Producer, Character Designer, Layout Artist, Background Designer Run Rostam Run (2016) 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 The Fan (2014): Editor; directed by Shirin Sohani
References
Further reading
Interview with the 2025 Iranian Oscar Nominees for Best Animated Short
External links
IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS Accepts the Oscar for Animated Short Film