FREE Tickets

Farhang Foundation, USC’s PACSA and PSO

Proudly Present a Special Screening & Filmmaker Event

IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS

2025 Academy Award® Winner: Best Animated Short Film

Thursday, May 22, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall, USC

3620 McClintock Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Featuring Guest Filmmakers

Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani

Moderated by Mark Amin

Join us for a very special evening celebrating the 2025 Academy Award®-winning short animated film IN THE SHADOW OF THE CYPRESS with an exclusive screening and live conversation with the film’s visionary creators.

This unforgettable event features a screening of the Oscar-winning short followed by an in-depth Q&A with directors Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, moderated by acclaimed film producer and director Mark Amin (Emperor, The Prince & Me, Frida).

Experience firsthand the powerful storytelling, innovative animation, and deeply human themes that captivated audiences worldwide. Discover the behind-the-scenes journey of bringing this groundbreaking film to life from the filmmakers themselves in an intimate and insightful conversation.

About Shirin Sohani

After completing an M.A. in Animation Directing (Tehran University of Art) she started her professional career in 2012 and has worked as a Concept artist, Background artist, Script writer, and Production Manager. In the Shadow of the Cypress is her first professional film. Her graduation animated film, The Fan (2014) won both national and international awards.

About Hossein Molayemi

After completing an M.A. in Animation Directing (Tehran University of Art) he started his professional career in 2004. His work includes Directing, character design, storyboard artist, animator and university lecturer. In the Shadow of the Cypress is his second professional film. His first film, Run Rostam Run (2017) was selected at Annecy, Warsaw and several other Oscar qualifying film festivals, and won national and international awards. He is a board member of Asifa Iran & Animation Filmmakers Guild of Iran.

Ticket Info

• Doors open at 4:45 PM and closed at 5:00 PM promptly.
• Admission is free, but tickets are required due to the limited seats.
• If you cannot make it to the event and you have a ticket, please alert the venue to release it.
• Check-in: Patrons who have registered will need to obtain their free tickets at the theater check-in desk. Any seats remaining a few minutes before showtime will be released to standby patrons.
• Registration does not guarantee seating for this free event.

Parking

Closest USC parking structures to Cammilleri Hall include:

• Downey Way Structure (Entrance on Vermont Ave & Downey Way OR Entrance through W Jefferson Blvd & McClintock Ave)
• McCarthy Way Structure (Entrance on Figueroa & USC McCarthy Way)
• Royal Street Structure (Entrance through gates on McClintock Ave & W. Jefferson Blvd)

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