1. BEN (BEHNAM) GILANI
FILM DIRECTOR
(Riding the Rainbow – Abu Dhabi Film Festival - 2012)
ONLINE CONTACT DETAILS and LINKS:
Email: bengilanio@gmail.com
LinkedIn: http://ae.linkedin.com/pub/ben-gilani/56/b8b/977/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/benscreationsUAE
Twitter: #bengilanio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bengilani/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user18220984
CONTACT:
TEHRAN / IRAN
Cell: +98 912 498 3115
+98 935 427 9090
“ALTERNATIVE CONTACT DETAILS”:
DUBAI / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Cell: + 971 56 149 2400
EUROPE (ESTONIA & FINLAND)
Cell: + 37 25 67 88 311
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2. ONLINE SHOW REEL
Riding the Rainbow - Documentary
https://click.email.vimeo.com/?
qs=fc85d3bf2114a4b162fb5bd5754e9e0f004e4117cfc13acb90b60
adc0935d5ad11740de11e8415f26c865b6847d76358
Trailer - Flute
https://click.email.vimeo.com/?
qs=20a00baae4a5ed74895e372def1667b24d99d7fa972300997ca
47196363ea8a4ed5d297be35d966c285dfc5c4227e58b
Trailer - Write My Story
https://click.email.vimeo.com/?
qs=fc85d3bf2114a4b162fb5bd5754e9e0f004e4117cfc13acb92e27
67251d7e13197172d7c5b74137d27fe8c83b1a12dee
Trailer – Square
https://click.email.vimeo.com/?
qs=fc85d3bf2114a4b162fb5bd5754e9e0f004e4117cfc13acb22b44
004200d0a2e1704a3e6a33b5cac85bf96ea936995ee
Other Directed & Produced Materials
http://www.facebook.com/benscreationsUAE
BIOGRAPHY
Ben (Behnam) Gilani was born on February 4th
, 1971.
His first brush with the film and television industry took place during
his formative teenage years. Filled by a burning desire to learn more
about the intricacies of the film and television business, he spent most
of his summer vacations in the editing rooms of the National Iranian
Television where his favorite elder cousins used to work. And, when his
mother landed a minor role in an experimental Tele-film directed by one
of his relatives, the passion for acting as well began to take hold.
After finishing high school and of course his military service in Iran at
the age of 21, he moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates where he met
Nicanor A. Odejar, a university professor, who played an important role
in developing his communication, writing as well as his business skills.
Realizing the value of good education, he then went on to complete in
2000 his Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems at the University of
Humberside & Lincolnshire (London-UK).
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3. Not content with just having a university degree, he also enrolled in a
library-learning center and began studying Film Directing and Motion
Pictures. And, in order to hone his English writing skills, he started
writing comic fictions, short stories as well as articles and had them
published by the local daily newspapers like “Gulf Today”, “tabloids” etc.
His stories appeared regularly in the newspaper's section "Time Out".
His articles likewise appeared later in another Dubai based newspaper
“Khaleej Times”.
In 1999, He met N. B, an Iranian industrial film director based in
Dubai, who introduced him to the who’s who of the Dubai film industry.
Such encounters eventually led to him receiving a number of offers to
act in or produce voiceovers, TV commercials and the like.
In 2001, he acted in N. B’s first feature film “Don Juan of Karaj”. This
was soon followed by acting roles in different TV shows and commercial
ads. In one of them, he acted along with “George Ghardahi”, a Lebanese
celebrity, actor and TV presenter. In 2006, he again got the lead role in
the feature film "Are You Still Around?" which was shot in Dubai. The
film participated in some international film festivals.
Apart from acting, Ben also writes both in Persian and English. In fact,
his first collections of hand-written poems have already been published
in a book entitled “I Live with you. I Live for You” which was approved
by the Ministry of Science and Culture - Iran. His first book was
released in Tehran in late 2005. The second edition of his collection of
poems were also released early 2007 and its title decided to be “Straw
Paper”. Gilani’s third book (Handful of Worries) is currently under
publication and is scheduled to enter the markets end 2015. These
books will also be translated to English, Arabic and French soon.
For several years beginning 2001, he has worked in Dubai as the Media
Manager for a well-known property developer. Those years saw him
producing TV and radio commercials, industrial and social
documentaries, infomercials, as well as directing over 42 TV
Commercials, infomercials, short films, etc. for different companies in
Dubai/UAE, England, Ireland, Egypt, Lebanon, Bahrain, Iran, Russia
etc.
In June 2008, Ben received His master’s degree in Film Directing from
"Melviz University of Canada". Currently, he works as an independent
film director. Gilani’s current focus is on directing Tele-films & feature
films. The latest TELE-films that he has directed and co-produced
include “Peggy’s Happy Days”, “Flute”, “Write my Story”, “Square”. His
latest completed film project, a documentary titled: “Riding the
Rainbow” was nominated for an award in Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2012.
“GULF NEWS - About”
EDUCATION & SKILLS
Masters Degree of Fine Arts in Movie Directing From
Melviz University – Canada.
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4. Bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in
Information Systems from University of Humberside and
Lincolnshire – UK.
Diploma of Business Administration from Skyline College
– U.A.E.
Studied “Hollywood Camera-Works for Directors”
Studied “Hollywood Visual Effects for Directors”
Studied “Hollywood Hot Moves for Directors”
Studied “Video Co-Pilot’s Action Essentials”.
LANGUAGES
English = Speaking – Reading – Writing
Farsi = Speaking – Reading – Writing
Arabic = Can Manage Speaking – Reading – Writing
Russian = Currently Learning
MEDIA SKILLS
• WRITING:
WRITTEN & PUBLISHED BOOKS:
1. I live with you – I live for you – 2005 - Poetry
2. Straw Paper – 2007 – Poetry.
3. Handful of Worries – Currently under publication – Poetry.
4. Scripts / Screenplays -For Tele-films I have directed,
commissioned TV Commercials, Documentaries,
Infomercials, and Radio Spots etc.
5. Written over 20 articles, comic fictions for “Time Out” section
of Khaleej times Newspaper UAE.
• DESIGNING ARTWORKS:
Designed over 58 commissioned media artworks – All published
in Gulf News, Khaleej Times and other newspapers and
magazines in United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt etc.
• SINGLE CAMERA DIRECTING
2006 – 2007
Melviz International Cinematography Organization – Iran
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5. • CASTING
I have voluntarily been in charge of casting for most of audio and
visual materials I have produced.
• DIRECTING / TRAINING THE CAST
“Peggy’s Happy Days”, Riding the Rainbow”, “Flute”, “Write My
Story” and “Square” are latest film I have directed in which I
selected the cast amongst ordinary people who had no acting
experience and background. I have personally trained them
within many private classes. Now I can proudly claim that my
acting students have professional ability to take parts in any
kind of film; performing to a high standard.
• ACTING
LEADING ACTOR
“Don Juan of Karaj” - Feature Film.
Location: Dubai / U.A.E
Directed By: Nader. B. Pour
Produced By: Hossam Al Atekiei
LEADING ACTOR
“Are You Still Here?” - Feature Film.
Location: Dubai / U.A.E
Directed By: Iman Tahseen
Produced By: Christine Marlome
SUPPORTING ACTOR
MBC TV (Middle-East Broadcasting Television) TV Commercials
next to “Famous George Ghardahi”...
MAIN CHARACTER
Gift Land Stores TV Commercials.
Directed By: Saeed Aghaaee And Produced By: Dubai Eye TV
• DUBBING
• SCRIPT / SCREENPLAY TRANSLATING
• EDITING
• NARRATING & VOICE - OVER
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6. • HEALTH & SAFETY FILM PRODUCTION
2006 – 2007
Melviz International Cinematography Organization and
institution – Tehran / Iran.
• EVENT MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZING
2002/2006
Organized and Managed over 20 major Product / Brand
launches and events across Middle-East, U.A.E, Iran, Bahrain,
Oman
• MEDIA MANAGEMENT – MEDIA PLANNING &
SCHEDULING
2002 - 2006
Planed and scheduled different media across United Arab
Emirates, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia etc.
FILMOGRAPHY
TELEFILMS & DOCUMENTARIES
Peggy’s Happy Days – Post Production (under editing)
Riding the Rainbow – Documentary – 29 Minutes (Official Selection –
Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2012)
Square-Comedy-92 Minutes
Write My Story-Drama-84 Minutes
Flute-Drama-90 Minutes
CLIENT COMMISSIONED
1) AMBER RESIDENCE- Documentary-Client: “D. World
Central”-Dubai/U.A.E
2) ADMIRAL BAY- Documentary-Client: “Dubai
Maritime”-Dubai/U.A.E
3) BURJSIDE BOULEVARD- Documentary-Client: “The Burj-
Dubai”-Dubai/U.A.E
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7. 4) BURJSIDE TERRACE- Documentary-Client: “The Burj-
Dubai”-Dubai/U.A.E
5) BUSINESS CENTRAL- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay-”Dubai/U.A.E
6) BUSINESS TOWER- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Dubai/U.A.E
7) THE CONCOURSE 1- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-Dubai/U.A.E
8) THE CONCOURSE 2- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-Dubai/U.A.E
9) CENTRAL SQUARE CS- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
10) CAPITAL BAY CB- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
11) DAMAC HEIGHT- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
12) EMIRATES GARDEN 1- Documentary-Client: “Jumeirah
Village”-Dubai/U.A.E
13) EMIRATES GARDEN 2- Documentary-Client: “Jumeirah
Village”-Dubai/U.A.E
14) EXECUTIVE BAY- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
15) EXECUTIVE HEIGHTS- Documentary-Client: “TECOM”-
Marina/U.A.E
16) LA RESIDENCE 1- Documentary-Client: “Lotus Intl.”-
Beirut/Lebanon
17) LA RESIDENCE 2- Documentary-Client: “Lotus Intl.”-
Beirut/Lebanon
18) THE CORNER- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
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9. 34) SUBURBIA- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-JFZ/U.A.E
35) TERRA DEL SOL 1- Documentary-Client: “IMPZ”-Jebel
Ali/U.A.E
36) TERRA DEL SOL 2- Documentary-Client: “IMPZ”-Jebel
Ali/U.A.E
37) THE CRESCENT- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-Marina/U.A.E
38) THE WAVES- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-Marina/U.A.E
39) TUSCAN 2- Documentary-Client: “Jumeirah
Village”-Dubai/U.A.E
40) TUSCAN 2- Documentary-Client: “Jumeirah
Village”-Dubai/U.A.E
41) LINCOLN PARK- Documentary-Client: “Dubai Land”-
Dubai/U.A.E
42) XL TOWERS- Documentary-Client: “Business
Bay”-Marina/U.A.E
43) CONCORDE- Documentary-Client: “Centreville
Co.”-Cairo/Egypt
44) HYDE PARK- Documentary-Client: “Centreville
Co.”-Cairo/Egypt
45) CENTRAL AVENUE- Documentary-Client: “DAMAC
Holding”-Dubai/U.A.E
46) LOFT HEIGHTS- Documentary-Client: “Abd Alico”-
Amman/Jordan
47) THE HEIGHTS- Documentary-Client: “Abd alico”-
Amman/Jordan
48) THE COURTYARD- Documentary-Client: “Abd alico”-
Amman/Jordan
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10. 49) BUSINESS GATES- Documentary-Client: “Abd Alico”-
Amman/Jordan
50) BUSINESS HEIGHTS- Documentary-Client: “Abd alico”-
Amman/Jordan
51) GARDEN HEIGHTS- Documentary-Client: “Fox Hills
Co”-Lusail/Qatar
52) THE PIAZZA 2- Documentary-Client: “Fox Hills
Co”-Lusail/Qatar
53) THE PIAZZA 2- Documentary-Client: “Fox Hills
Co.”-Lusail/Qatar
54) THE TERRACED- Documentary-Client: “Fox Hills
Co.”-Lusail/Qatar
55) ALJAWHARAH- Documentary-Client: “Jawharah”-
Jeddah/KSA
56) DAMAC CORP. VIDEO - Infomercial- Client: “DAMAC
Holding” Dubai / U.A.E
TV COMMERCIALS
Jordan Airport Plasma TVC - Commercial-Infomercial/TVC -
Marina Projects Dubai
Damac Holding’s Main TVC - Infomercial / TVC for Marina
Projects Dubai
Live The Luxury TVC - Infomercial / TVC for Marina
Projects Dubai
RADIO SPOTS / COMMERCIALS
The Velvet Development Radio Spot – Documentary Film for
Marina Projects Dubai
Oceans 9 Development Radio Spot – Documentary Film for
Marina Projects Dubai
La Residence Project Launch RS – Documentary Film for
Marina Projects Dubai
Page 10 of 12
11. Damac Live the Luxury Radio Spot – Documentary Film for
Marina Projects Dubai
Damac 40% Money Back Guarantee on Rental
NEWS – REVIEWS
GULF NEWS - TABLOID
Date: Sunday Mar, 4th
, 01
Titled: An Iranian Initiative
Tabloid reporter speaks to the director of “Don Juan of Karaj”, a U.A.E
based film director and his cast / crew.
CINEMA ABRAR NEWS:
Date: Nov 14th
, 07 Titled: shooting of Gilani’s latest film “Square”
finished.
Date: May 10th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s latest film ready for edit Shooting
completed.
Date: Oct 09th
, 07 Titled: to use amateur cast in your films, one need
to be courageous.
Date: Apr 21st
, 07 Titled: Who will “WRITE MY STRORY”?
Date: Feb 18th
, 07 Titled: Sound of Gilani’s “FLUTE” can be heard.
Date: Feb 22nd
, 07 Titled: Very cold weather stopped Gilani’s latest
film project.
Date: Oct, 09th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s Film; “Flute’s melody all over
highlands of Damavand.
AND...
CINEMA WEEKLY:
Date: Feb 18th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s new film (“Write My Story”),
Filming started.
Date: May 13th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s (Write My Story). Shooting ended…
Editing Began.
Date: Feb 17TH,
06 Titled: Gilani’s “FLUTE” established. The
incredible life of a one man.
Date: Apr 21st
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s “Write my Story” ready to enter
editing room.
Date: Feb 21st
, 06 Titled: Gilani’s new “FLUTE”. This time in
Damavand Highlands.
Date: Oct 17th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s story and film “SQUARE”.
AND...
JAAM E JAM CINEMA DAILY:
Date: Mar 15th
, 06 Titled: “Flute’s” music echoes in Damavand’s
restaurant.
Date: Mar 15th
, 06 Titled:” FLUTE”. Gilani’s way of training dogs.
AND...
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12. BONNY FILM:
Date: May 12th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s “SQUARE” at the middle. Shooting
continues.
Date: Mar 15th
, 06 Titled: Gilani’s latest film “Flute”, Based on a true
story.
Date: Feb 17th
, 06 Titled: Training a dog using a “FLUTE”. Gilani’s
new story.
Date: Oct 9th
, 07 Titled: Gilani will start to “Write My Story”.
Date: Jul 7th
, 07 Titled: Niavaran. Home of Gilani’s new film.
Date: Jun 16th
, 06 Titled: Tehran / Iran. Gilani’s “Write my Story” in
front of the camera.
Date: Oct 29th
, 07 Titled: Gilani, on the last angle of his “SQUARE”.
AND ...
TEHRAN TODAY ART NEWS:
Date: Oct 29th
, 07 Titled: Comedy of “SQUARE” brothers on the way.
Date: Feb 29th
, 06 Titled: Entering animal world. Gilani’s first film in
Iran: “FLUTE”.
Date: Feb 17th
, 06 Titled: Too cold to film. Gilani’s filming of “FLUTE”
stopped.
AND...
SOROUSH FILM & TELEVISION MAGAZINE:
Date: Jun 16th
, 06 Titled: “Write My Story”. Gilani’s version of
interesting student days.
Date: Feb 17th
, 06 Titled: Training a dog using a “FLUTE”. Gilani’s
new story.
Date: Nov 14th
, 07 Titled: An experience like people’s daily life.
Gilani’s story.
Date: Oct 27th
, 07 Titled: Gilani’s story of buying an apartment in a
foreign country.
Date: Nov 24th
, 07 Titled: Last angle of Gilani’s “SQUARE” recorded.
Date: Mar 15th
, 06 Titled: Gilani’s created characters in his new
“FLUTE”.
Date: Apr 21st
, 07 Titled: When students are the story. Gilani’s
interesting student story.
Date: Jul 7th
, 2007 Titled: Gilani finished “Writing My Story”.
HOBBIES:
Teaching, Reading, Writing, Film & Cinema, Music, Singing,
Shopping, Cooking.
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