Kathy Kiany was born in Tehran and graduated in graphic arts from the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran. Driven by her passion for storytelling, film production, and her keen awareness of societal issues, particularly those affecting women, she embarked on her career as a writer and director. Initially creating street documentaries in Tehran, she encountered challenges, including the loss of her filming equipment due to unexpected events. This led her to transition to animation, a less risky endeavour, which she pursued from her home. Additionally, she honed her scriptwriting skills under the guidance of Soroush Sehat and received voice-acting training from Master Nasrullah Madgalchi in Tehran.
Upon immigrating to Canada and settling in Vancouver, Kathy faced the obstacles of starting anew in a foreign land. Undeterred, she worked diligently to join the North America Film Production Union – AITSE LOCAL 891. Her perseverance paid off when she successfully completed her first animated short film, “Second Home,” which explores the challenges faced by immigrant women adapting to a new culture in Vancouver. The film received critical acclaim, winning awards at prestigious festivals in Berlin, Chicago, and Vancouver.
