Haniyeh Parhizkar
USA
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Producer
Freelance
Los Angeles, CA
10.2024 - 10.2025
- Researched funding and submission opportunities for nonprofit organizations and film festivals, including Film Independent and Sundance, and prepared applications for documentary projects.
- Collaborated with filmmakers to translate creative vision into compelling, fundable proposals.
- Researched industry trends to inform documentary project direction and content development.
Production Assistant
Concrete Media
Los Angeles, CA
06.2025 - 10.2025
- Streamlined the organizational workflow of the art team by creating inventory lists, run-of-show breakdowns, and material tracking sheets.
- Assisted in sourcing and acquiring materials for various production needs.
- Collaborated with production designers to implement creative vision on set.
Production Assistant
A24 / Apple TV+
Los Angeles, CA
04.2025 - 06.2025
- Maintained smooth set operations during high-background days, coordinating holding areas, and assisting with crowd movement to ensure efficient workflows.
- Ensured on-set safety protocols and organizational standards were consistently upheld.
Production Assistant
Paulinka Pictures
State College, PA
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Assisted production team in preparing sets for various media projects.
- Streamlined the organizational workflow of the art team by creating inventory lists, run-of-show breakdowns, and material tracking sheets.
Set Manager
FilmNet TV
Tehran, Iran
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Managed daily schedules for multiple casts, coordinating rehearsals, performances, and travel arrangements.
- Maintained accurate records of communication with talent, and other departments.
- Supervised set crew, delegating tasks to optimize productivity and teamwork on-site.
Stage Manager
Freelance
Tehran, Iran
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Coordinated schedules for rehearsals and performances with cast and crew.
- Managed stage setup, including props, lighting, and sound equipment.
- Communicated cues to actors and crew during live performances.
Sponsorship Manager
TEDx
Tehran, Iran
09.2017 - 12.2017
- Developed sponsorship proposals to attract funding for TEDx events.
- Managed relationships with sponsors to ensure alignment and satisfaction.
- Conducted market research to identify potential sponsors and opportunities.
Education
Master of Arts - Media Studies
Pennsylvania State University
PA08-2024
Bachelor of Arts - Cinema-Screenwriting
Tehran University of Art
01.2020
Skills
Research and analysis:
- Qualitative research, textual analysis, coding, and synthesizing interview data
- Market, audience, and media trend analysis
- Grant research and proposal development for documentary and film projects
Film & Media Production:
- Art department coordination, set dressing
- Script continuity, prop management, and on-set logistics
- Film festival programming and event coordination
Teaching & Academic Support:
- Assignment feedback, grading, and use of platforms such as Packback
Technical & Digital Competencies:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Film Editing Software (Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve)
- Research Tools (ProQuest, JSTOR)
Research Experience
Research and Outreach Assistant – Centre Film Festival
State College, PA | May-August 2024
- Conducted qualitative research to identify emerging filmmakers and audience trends.
- Developed outreach strategies for festival promotion via email, MailChimp, correspondence and social media.
- Coordinated communication with filmmakers to support programming and festival operations.
Media Analyst Intern – Katch Media
Remote | May–August 2023
- Analyzed media content and consumption trends across film, television, and digital platforms.
- Conducted comparative studies on audience engagement and preferences, contributing insights to programming and content strategy.
Research Assistant – Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA | May-August 2023
- Assisted in developing a K–12 curriculum based on documentary filmmaking.
- Conducted qualitative research on educational applicability and audience engagement.
Publications
- Parhizkar, H. (2024). Barbenheimer Phenomenon: Analyzing the dual release of Barbie and Oppenheimer as a reflection of post-COVID Hollywood’s evolution. Master’s Thesis, Pennsylvania State University.
- Myrick, J. G., Chen, J., Jang, E., Norman, M. P., Liu, Y., Medina, L., Blessing, J. N., & Parhizkar, H. (2023). An experimental test of the effects of public mockery of a social media health campaign: Implications for theory and health organizations’ social media strategies. Health Communication, 39(12). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2023.2282833
Panels and Talks
Union of Democratic Communications Conference (UDC), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (2024)
- Presented the paper “Marvelizing the immigrant experience: Hollywoodization and ‘Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" exploring cultural representation in mainstream media.
84th Peabody Awards – Committee Member, Remote (2024)
- Served as a committee member reviewing media submissions.
Nahal Short Film Festival, Tehran, Iran (2017)
- Participated as a panelist, providing insights on independent filmmaking, short film curation, and festival programming. Engaged with emerging filmmakers on creative and logistical approaches to festival submissions and audience engagement.
Teaching Experience
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant – Pennsylvania State University | 2022–2024
- Provided assignment feedback and guided students through course material using platforms such as Packback.
- Supported professors in facilitating classroom discussions, grading, and evaluating student work.
- Assisted students in connecting media theory with practical applications in film and cultural studies.
Accomplishments
Sidney and Helen Friedman Endowed Scholarship, Pennsylvania State University – 2023
Merit-Based Scholarship, Pennsylvania State University – 2022
Ranked 38th among 56,265 participants, Iran University Entrance Exam, 2015
Merit-Based Scholarship, Pennsylvania State University – 2022
Ranked 38th among 56,265 participants, Iran University Entrance Exam, 2015
Technology Competencies
- Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Canva
- Film Editing Software (Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve)
- Research Tools (ProQuest, JSTOR)
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer, ThinkLA – Los Angeles, CA
Assisted with execution for media and entertainment industry events. Supported logistics, attendee engagement, and communications to ensure smooth operations and successful outcomes.
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Farsi, Native
Timeline
Production Assistant
Concrete Media
06.2025 - 10.2025
Production Assistant
A24 / Apple TV+
04.2025 - 06.2025
Assistant Producer
Freelance
10.2024 - 10.2025
Production Assistant
Paulinka Pictures
06.2024 - 08.2024
Set Manager
FilmNet TV
12.2021 - 05.2022
Stage Manager
Freelance
12.2017 - 11.2018
Sponsorship Manager
TEDx
09.2017 - 12.2017
Master of Arts - Media Studies
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Arts - Cinema-Screenwriting
Tehran University of Art