MFA student's film premieres internationally
"Pin," an experimental short by 花季传媒鈥檚 MJ Golzari, has received international acclaim while reflecting his cross-cultural artistic vision.
Jack Rohrer | September 30, 2025
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MJ Golzari, a second-year MFA student in the School of Film in the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, has received international recognition for two of his recent films. 鈥淧in,鈥 which he completed as a student at OHIO, has received multiple award nominations, Including the film鈥檚 recent nomination for Best Experimental Student Short at the (TINFF), a globally recognized platform that celebrates diverse cinema with a specific focus on Nollywood (the Nigerian film industry).
Golzari said "Pin" explores 鈥渢hemes of intimacy, fragmentation, and ritual through long takes and minimal dialogue.鈥
鈥'Pin' was deeply shaped by the interdisciplinary support I received at 花季传媒,鈥 he said.
Golzari鈥檚 earlier short, 鈥淧lacenta鈥 (created before his MFA studies), continues to receive international recognition, having been named an official selection at (Romania) in the Experimental Short Category.
鈥淎s an international student, I frequently work at the intersection of memory, displacement and visual experimentation,鈥 Golzari said.
In the Q&A below, Golzari explains how support from OHIO has helped him further explore these themes, take risks and refine his voice.
Q&A with MJ Golzari
Golzari鈥檚 films reflect cross-cultural perspectives, blending his Iranian heritage with his experiences navigating artistic life in the U.S.
Encouragement and independence
Q: How would you describe 鈥淧in鈥 to those who haven鈥檛 seen it?
A: 鈥淧in鈥 is a story about a woman who cherishes the calmness and traditions of her home; suddenly, chaos overwhelms her, leading to a series of unsettling moments.
Q: What was the inspiration for your films?
A: 鈥淧lacenta鈥 was inspired by events in my own life; this idea that you may want to get rid of something and at the same time, it鈥檚 part of your identity, part of your life. You cannot ignore it or throw it away; you have to carry it no matter what. For 鈥淧in鈥 it was a mixture of everything, you know? It was a mixture of a lot of feelings. Everything in our lifetime is good until some disaster happens and most of the time we don鈥檛 have control over it. In the film there鈥檚 an explanation of this disaster and there is also a conclusion of what will happen. In my opinion, we have nothing but to surrender when storms are coming.
Q: What has the festival journey looked like for 鈥淧in鈥? What鈥檚 next?
A: I started by submitting 鈥淧in鈥 to North American film festivals. 鈥淧in鈥 received three selections: Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, the Buffalo International Festival in October and Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kansas. I plan to submit the film to festivals in Europe, Asia and other regions.
Q: What kind of support have you received from 花季传媒?
A: At first, I wasn鈥檛 sure this experimental style of filmmaking was acceptable at 花季传媒鈥檚 film school. After talking to my professors, all of them were so encouraging. They encouraged me to make them and didn鈥檛 change my perspective. 花季传媒 is very close; if you share something with one person, it鈥檚 shared with everybody else. I talked to several faculty members from the film department and asked for help with things like location scouting and props. Most of them liked my idea and were willing to help.
In Golzari's latest film, "Pin," the main character's gradual descent from calmness to turmoil is especially illustrated by visual and auditory imagery.
Q: Are there any specific students or faculty that helped you the most?
A: It鈥檚 hard to name one specific person or group of people; I received a lot of help from different people and departments. The great thing about 花季传媒 are the facilities and connections you鈥檙e able to make. I collaborated with various departments, including the School of Art + Design. Having a sculpting student here made it really easy to get some props made, for example. You know, these opportunities are not easy to find, but here at OU it鈥檚 way easier. They really support the students and that鈥檚 very good; that鈥檚 phenomenal, actually.
Q: How has your artistic voice changed since you started at OHIO?
A: "Pin鈥檚" experimental style is similar to 鈥淧lacenta,鈥 which I made before coming to OU. At the same time, I came here to learn about screenwriting and narrative filmmaking. For my thesis project, I鈥檓 going to develop the brain I had to make something new, more advanced. My practice is growing and I will start combining these two approaches, experimental and narrative, to make bigger projects.
Q: What are your plans post-MFA?
A: I鈥檒l keep making films; I won鈥檛 have the resources I have here, but I鈥檒l find them. I have a lot of stories to tell and a lot of feelings to express; that鈥檚 all I want to do in my life. I want to use my Optional Practical Training (OPT) time here in the United States to continue meeting new people and experiencing the industry.
Q: Do you have any advice for students?
A: As an artist, you should create, keep going and be flexible. Filmmaking can feel like gambling, you never know what will happen. Don鈥檛 give up; many great filmmakers found success later in life. They kept at it, received the recognition they deserved and now they make whatever they want.