Amelia Hashemi has joined Interrogate, The London director’s first US signing. Half-Iranian and half-English, Hashemi got her start in the film industry working a variety of roles in the world of theatre and feature films. She shadowed Stephen Daldry during his work on Billy Elliot: The Musical; she was video assist on the 2006 feature, Breaking and Entering, under director Anthony Minghella, and served as assistant to casting directors such as Susie Figgis and Lucinda Syson, working under directors like Tim Burton, Mike Newell, and Garth Jennings. Hashemi’s casting know-how still influences her approach as a director.

“The first thing I think of in my creative process is the cast, because I know the casting process so well,” she stated. “I’m drawn to the story and how certain performances can capture the moments I want to tell with honesty and authenticity.”

In 2014, Hashemi made her first film, Don’t Blame Us Cos We’re Famous!, which had its UK premiere at the London Short Film Festival, and went on to win Best UK short at the East End Film Festival. The success of the film, which documents a father and son on a day of spontaneous adventures, caught the attention of VW, who commissioned Hashemi to film three spots for their Motability Campaign. Those spots included the emotive Brother and Sister:

From there, she directed commercials for brands such as like Cadbury and E.Leclerc.

And in 2018, her short film, Night Out, drew on Hashemi’s experience growing up with a Muslim parent. Night Out tells the coming-of-age story of Muslim teen Meena on her way with friends to a nightclub for the first time. The short premiered at the BFI London Film Festival was nominated for the London Critics’ Circle award and won best short at Leeds International Film Festival.

Hashemi now has two feature films in the works, one of which is for BBC Films with Parkville Pictures. 

George Meeker, executive producer & partner of Interrogate, commented, “Rarely do directors in our business come from the casting space. It’s unexpected but provides such a unique perspective. Amelia has looked at actors upon actors upon actors, and as a result, is able to find and capture a real sense of honesty in her performances and dialogue.” 

“I loved the guys at Interrogate immediately because they had followed my work and they understood where I’m coming from with being a mom, and honoured that,” Hashemi added. ”I’m so excited about this signing because I’ve always wanted to work in America. I’m so looking forward to expanding my audience.”