Seeking Valentina is an Official Selection of FANtastic Horror Film Festival in San Diego

SAN DIEGO - June 11, 2015 - PRLog -- Armin Nasseri wants to change the way U.S. audiences see Middle Eastern Americans, and it seems FANtastic Horror Film Festival of San Diego agrees.  Nasseri’s psychological thriller short was announced as an Official Selection on 6/11/2015.  Seeking Valentina, written and directed by Armin Nasseri, follows Benjamin (played by Ali Bavarian), an Iranian-American writer, in the pangs of grief. When Benjamin takes in a whimsical and an engaging tenant and she mysteriously disappears, it is for the audience to decide is she a ghost, a hallucination, a dream or a runaway.

Nasseri vigorously resisted stereotyping throughout his production, which attracted acclaimed Persian-American Actress Vida Ghaffari (The Mindy Project, Mind of Mencia) to Seeking Valentina. Ghaffari said, "I was really drawn to this project as it forgoes all the ridiculous stereotypes I often have to portray as an artist." She adds, "It's refreshing and empowering as an artist to portray someone who is just a human being living her everyday life with no labels." Ghaffari plays Benjamin's sister Ana in Seeking Valentina. Portraying a Persian-American family was a priority for Nasseri, as often minority characters are not given the context of a family in much standard programming in the U.S.

Regarding Nasseri’s inspiration he says,"I grew up in the south as a minority. I live in America, but my heritage is Persian. Obviously, the two countries haven't had a diplomatic relationship since the 1979 Revolution." Nasseri added, "There is no prediction on when their relationship will ever heal, but I do hope through artistry, that movies will showcase a universe where minorities, especially Iranian born citizens or Iranian Americans, can be seen as superheroes, agents, diplomats, writers, athletes, professors, restaurant owners, engineers, physicians, lawyers and homeowners."
.   Festival runner JoAnn Thomas says, “We are pleased to have a film, like “Seeking Valentina.”  This film will not just delight film goers but also addresses important social issues. It‘s also a film that leaves the viewer with as many questions as answers, which is unusual and thought provoking.”
   Producer and lead actress Kristin West (Hell’s Kitty, Circus of the Dead) showcased Phoenix Song, a long-form music video about reincarnation, at last year’s festival. West’s film won two awards including Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film in 2014.

  The FANtastic Horror Film Festival is dedicated to providing an outlet for Independent Horror Films with a focus on movie viewers and the filmmakers.  For three days, San Diego becomes the Horror Capital of the United States, and “plans to own the Independent Horror genre Halloween”.  FANtastic Horror Film Festival prides itself on offering “brand-spanking-new horror, red-hot off the shelf, never seen in San Diego,” and “the freshest horror in the city.” FANtastic Horror Film Festival runs October 30 - November 1, 2015 in San Diego, CA.

For more information about FANtastic Horror Film Festival, please visit:  http://www.fhffsd.org/home-1

For more information about Seeking Valentina:  www.seekingvalentina.com