Hossein Molayemi


Hossein Molayemi is an Iranian animation, director, and designer.

Life

Molayemi graduated in painting from the Boys' Fine Arts High School of Karaj in 2000, earning a bachelor's degree in Graphics from Soore University in 2006 and a master's degree in Animation from the University of Art in Tehran in 2010. In 2025, the short animated film In the Shadow of the Cypress, which he co-directed with his wife Shirin Sohani, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. This achievement marked Iran's first-ever Oscar in animation history.

Honors and awards

Career

Source:
  • Founder of Barfak Studio
  • Worked in 2D animation production at Haft-Nama Animation Company, managed by Saeed Tarkhani
  • Contributed to teasers and clips for the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth
  • Served as International Section Editor and Translator for the art quarterly Khat-Khati
  • Worked at the Animation Film Studies and Production Center as a costume, weapon, and accessory designer for characters in the animated feature Peace Force, directed by Borzou Rafeipour
  • Co-founder of Barfi Studio
  • Founder and first secretary of the Scientific Association of Animation at the University of Art, Tehran

    Notable Works

In the Shadow of the Cypress, a 2023 Iranian short animated film co-directed by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi.
Run Rostam Run, a 2016 Iranian short animated film

Filmography

  • In the Shadow of the Cypress: Director, Producer, Character Designer, Layout Artist, Background Designer
  • The Little Beetle: Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist
  • Commando: Character Designer, Background Artist, Layout Artist
  • Red Line: Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, Lead Animator, Editor
  • The Neighbors : Art Director, Character Designer
  • The Champions : Director, Character Designer
  • Editor of the short animated film The Fan, directed by Shirin Sohani

    Achievements

  • Oscar winner for Best Animated Short Film for In the Shadow of the Cypress at the 2025 Academy Awards