Kurdistan-Born, Hollywood-Made: The Story Of Akam Rezaee
Kurdistan-born filmmaker Akam Rezaee overcame refugee status to become a Hollywood VFX supervisor, working on major productions while aiming to bring his world-class expertise back to Kurdish cinema and pursue his ultimate goal of directing.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In the highly competitive world of Hollywood, where success is often predicated on industry connections and formal training from prestigious institutions, the story of Akam Rezaee stands as a powerful testament to raw talent, relentless persistence, and an unyielding passion for storytelling.
Born in Mahabad, in the heart of Eastern Kurdistan (northwestern Iran), Rezaee’s journey has taken him from crafting underground music videos with borrowed camcorders to supervising visual effects for global entertainment giants like Netflix, Apple TV, Showtime, and Paramount, contributing his skills to blockbuster projects produced by cinematic legends such as Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.
This is a narrative that bridges two vastly different worlds, one defined by the vibrant but under-resourced creative scene of Kurdistan and the other by the dazzling, high-stakes pinnacle of global filmmaking.
A Self-Taught Beginning in Kurdistan
Rezaee’s foundation as a filmmaker was forged not in a classroom, but in the streets and studios of his hometown. Lacking the formal infrastructure available to his Western counterparts, he embraced a hands-on, do-it-yourself ethos driven by an innate creative ambition.
“There was no place to study filmmaking in my hometown,” Rezaee explained in a recent discussion. “So we just started shooting.”
Armed with a fierce curiosity, he and his friends began creating, using whatever tools they could find—from borrowed cameras to mobile phones—to produce music videos for local artists and innovative short films.
This early work quickly distinguished itself, introducing a new visual language to the regional scene through inventive storytelling, considered lighting, and even nascent visual effects.
With characteristic humility, Rezaee refrains from claiming to be a pioneer. “I wouldn’t say I invented anything,” he reflected, “but I do think I helped push our scene forward—visually, emotionally, technically.”
The Arduous Path to a New World
His path from local renown to international acclaim was not a direct one. It was a journey punctuated by profound personal and political challenges, leading him through years as a refugee in Türkiye before he was finally granted asylum in the United States.
The dream of Hollywood, once a distant aspiration, presented a new set of formidable obstacles upon his arrival. Far from a red-carpet welcome, Rezaee found himself at a significant disadvantage, navigating a complex and insular industry without the benefit of a local education or a network of contacts.
The initial period was marked by a grueling and often disheartening struggle to gain a foothold. “When I got here, I felt like I was 100 steps behind everyone else,” he recalled of the experience. “I didn’t go to school here. I didn’t know anyone. I went to every event, messaged anyone I could—even total strangers. It was exhausting—and for a long time, it felt hopeless.”
Mastering a New Language: Visual Effects
Rather than succumb to the feeling of hopelessness, Rezaee sought a strategic advantage, a specialized skill that would make him indispensable.
This search led him to the world of visual effects (VFX) and to Gnomon, widely regarded as one of the most respected visual effects schools on the planet.
He recognized that VFX was a universal and essential component of modern film and television production, a field where technical mastery could transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
“I realized VFX was something that every film and show needed,” he said. “And I already had a passion for it—but now, I wanted to master it.”
The decision to enroll at Gnomon proved to be the turning point in his career.
Through intense technical discipline and sheer persistence, he meticulously honed his skills and successfully broke into the highly demanding VFX industry, advancing from learning the intricate software to delivering professional-grade shots for independent films, major studio features, and high-end episodic television series.
“Eventually, I got to work on some incredible projects—films produced by Spielberg, by Tom Hanks, by major streamers,” he noted. “It still feels surreal.”
Supervising the Invisible Art
Today, Akam Rezaee is an established VFX Supervisor, a role that places him at the intersection of technology and artistry.
His professional portfolio is diverse, encompassing everything from the creation of photorealistic digital set extensions and the meticulous choreography of car crash sequences to the subtle, seamless integration of computer-generated imagery into live-action footage.
For Rezaee, the true measure of successful visual effects lies not in their spectacle but in their ability to serve the narrative without drawing attention to themselves. “To me, good VFX should feel invisible,” he asserted. “If it breaks the story, it fails. But if it enhances it—emotionally, visually—that’s the magic.”
A Lasting Connection to Kurdish Cinema
Despite building an impressive Hollywood résumé, Rezaee has remained deeply connected to the cinematic landscape where his journey began. His expertise has been recognized within the Kurdish film community, as he has served as a jury member for the Duhok International Film Festival, specifically for the Kurdish feature film category.
He is acutely aware of the resource gap that often hinders Kurdish filmmakers and is driven by a desire to bridge it.
“I rarely see high-end VFX, color grading, or cinematic technique used in Kurdish cinema,” he observed.
“Not because there’s no talent—there’s tons—but because there’s no access. That’s why I want to give back. Bring what I’ve learned here back home.” This commitment is not merely an ambition but an active practice; he has produced films with his longtime friend and collaborator, the filmmaker Apo Bazidi, whom he credits as a major supporter.
Even with years of high-level professional experience, Rezaee maintains the mindset of a student, perpetually driven to expand his knowledge and master every facet of the filmmaking process.
His ultimate goal remains firmly fixed on the director’s chair, an aspiration he approaches with a holistic philosophy.
“I always say I want to learn every piece of the puzzle. Every department,” he concluded. “Because when I finally step fully into directing, I want to speak the full language of cinema. Not just the dialogue—but the camera, the rhythm, the light.”
Rahim "Mr. Kurd" Rashidi is a media fellow of the Gold Institute for International Strategy, a Washington, DC-based think-and-do tank.
Edited by Dr. Kamaran Aziz
