Seeking Valentina is an Official Selection of Action on Film International Film Festival

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - July 18, 2015 - PRLog -- Armin Nasseri wants to change the way U.S. audiences see Middle Eastern Americans, and it seems Del Weston’s  Action on Film agrees.  Nasseri’s psychological thriller short was announced as an Official Selection on 7/17/2015.  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."
.    Producer and lead actress Kristin West (Hell’s Kitty, Circus of the Dead) makes her triumphant return to AOF. Her last entry, Phoenix Song, took home a laurel for Faith Based Film, at the 2013 festival.
 Now in its eleventh year, Action on Film International Film Festival will be held at the Krikorian Theatres in  Monrovia, California. The festival runs September 18-27, with special events held throughout the entire month of September.

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

For more information about The Action on Film International Film Festival go to www.aofwest.com