Director Mahboobeh Kalaee Signs to Jelly

Director Mahboobeh Kalaee joins Jelly’s Futures roster, which exists to support emerging creators take steps toward their vision of success, and established creators transfer their skills to a new field.

The Iranian director was named as one of ten selected for Saatchi & Saatchi’s renowned New Creators’ Showcase. Established over three decades ago to celebrate emerging creators, the showcase was presented by Saatchi & Saatchi CCO Franki Goodwin on the Lumiere stage at Cannes Festival yesterday. This selection additionally gives Mahboobeh the opportunity to bid for at least one agency project in the 12 months following the showcase.

Mahboobeh uses her signature experimental mixed media technique to combine live-action with 2D animation and stop-motion, crafting films that exist to blur the line between the real and the imaginary.

Highly curious and observant, Mahboobeh is inspired and led by the goings on in her life and the lives of those around her. Opting to choose the medium based on the idea, her process is always evolving as she discovers new ways of thinking and communicating. 

Her graduation film ‘The Fourth Wall’ which she made during her ‘Animation Directing’ Masters at Tehran University Faculty of Cinema, has been screened internationally at festivals including Sundance & BFI London as well winning many awards.

Drawing on real world experiences and using her art to express her unique thoughts and ideas, Mahboobeh has ambitions to work with brands to create authentic, culturally affective work.

Check out Mahboobeh's work here.