Maryam KESHAVARZ is an Iranian-American filmmaker. She studied Persian literature at the University of Shiraz before turning to fi lmmaking. Kershavarz also has a Masters in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan. Her short film, The Day I Died won the Teddy Award at Berlin in 2006. Her feature CIRCUMSTANCE (2011) was selected at the 32nd Durban International Film Festival in 2011.