ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Pouria Montazeri, a 2006 graduate of Watkins Film School with a BFA in cinematography, recently arrived back in Nashville after traveling the world as the cinematographer for a major feature documentary on the subject of AIDS/HIV.

Hired at the beginning of 2006, he spent the summer traveling around the east and west coasts of America, shooting interviews and b-rolls. In early November 2006, he traveled to Australia, South Africa and Europe for seven weeks, a trip he calls “the chance of a lifetime and life changing experience.” In Europe he filmed in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, France and England.

His favorite time was spent in South Africa traveling to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and several smaller townships. Montazeri says, “This was an eye-opening, exciting and humbling experience. I fell in love with the people of South Africa. Their kindness, generosity, honestly, laughter, intelligence and hopefulness found a place in my heart. Finding humanity and hope amongst people living in extreme poverty was a reminder of human spirit and its strong will. I was touched by the encounter I had with individuals living in poverty, where the lack of clean water and basic toilets is an everyday fact of life. These are people, who are far from the material world we know so well, yet they have not forgotten to keep their smiles and human spirit alive. I found some of the most intelligent people among the ruins and shacks of the townships. I dream of going back again and hope to visit the same souls I had the privilege to encounter.”

Action!	Setting up for a shot	Production Meeting for one of 50+ student films this year