Shaghayegh Yassemi

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My name is Shaghayegh (شقایق), which means “poppy” in Persian. I feel deeply connected to my name, as poppies are fiercely red, wild, and free.
I love being one of them.

I am a multi-disciplinary researcher, filmmaker, and educator. Over the past few years, my artistic and academic journey has taken me through theatre, film, poetry, and critical studies in improvisation. Each field has deepened my understanding of art as an active, participatory force in everyday life. I am a PhD candidate in Critical Studies in Improvisation, with an MFA in film production from Concordia University, and an MA in theatre from Soore University of Tehran. My films have been showcased at international film festivals and academic events, including Fotogenia (Mexico), the Second Poetic Cinema Festival (Argentina), Hillside (Canada), TaPRA (England), and the New York Arthouse Film Festival.

Below, you’ll find two portfolios showcasing selections of my art projects: the first is recent, covering work from 2018 to 2024, while the second includes projects from 2013 to 2018.