Young Guns 19: Farhad Ghaderi

By Alixandra Rutnik and Brett McKenzie on Oct 27, 2021

Featuring the creative stars of Young Guns 19

A year and a half of uncertainty across the creative industry and beyond has finally given way to a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel — a spotlight with a great big "YG19" standing in the middle of it. After more than 70 acclaimed creatives from around the world and across a multitude of disciplines reviewed hundreds of submissions, whittling them down to a formidable finalist list, we can finally reveal the phenomenal winners of Young Guns 19!

This year, we welcome a diverse class of 32 inductees into the exclusive Young Guns family, a collection of young creative talent that is already near the top of their game — and will only get better. These are the designers, the art directors, the illustrators, the filmmakers, the animators, the multidisciplinary artists whose names you'll want to know — if you aren't already following their every move, that is.

Ahead of the Young Guns 19 Ceremony + Party taking place on Wednesday, November 17 — our first in-person event since the pandemic began — we are featuring the future legends who will be stepping into the spotlight that evening.

FARHAD GHADERI
CINEMATOGRAPHER & DIRECTOR

Based:

Vancouver, Canada

Hometown:

Mexico City, Mexico

SEE FARHAD'S ENTRY

When did you first hear about Young Guns?

A couple of my friends are past winners.

Wh did you decide to enter this year?

A good friend convinced me to apply!

Since you are only allowed to submit six projects, how did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?

Not sure if I second guessed my submission choices, but it's definitely tough to pick only six projects when you're trying to show something that reflects your work and your taste.

How did you feel when you found out you won Young Guns?

I was super happy! I was in the middle of a shoot day for a feature that was very tough, and the news gave me energy to finish it well.

If you had to pick one of the six projects that you entered as your favorite, which one would it be and why?

I think it would be Golden Ladder, because it's the closest thematically to what I'm trying to put out in my personal work.

If you had to describe your creative style, the part of your work that’s most distinctively “you,” what would it be?

As a cinematographer I'd say I'm drawn towards deeply rich images, often quite dark but also quite vibrant. And usually stories that are quite intimate or that have to do with familial relationships.

Who are some of the biggest influences on your work and career– people who may have had a hand in mentoring and supporting you?

It takes a village, and I wouldn't be where I am without the many people who've helped me out. A big shout out goes to my friend DP Benjamin Loeb who began mentoring me back when I was in film school.

The pandemic of 2020 is slowly starting to taper a bit, so do you have any big goals moving forward into 2022?

Personally, I'm just trying to find a balance between work and personal life. And trying to not let my work define who I am.