Hossein Molayemi

Hossein Molayemi (born 23 August 1982 ) is an Iranian animation director and designer.

In 2025, the short animated film In the Shadow of the Cypress, which he co-directed with his wife, Shirin Sohani, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards. The win marked Iran's first Academy Award in the animated film categories.

Early life and education Molayemi was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1982. He graduated from the Boys' Fine Arts High School of Karaj in 2000 with a diploma in painting. He later earned a bachelor's degree in graphics from Soore University in 2006 and a master's degree in animation from the University of Art in 2010.

Career From 2003 to 2005, Molayemi worked in 2D animation production at Ghelghelak Studio, where he contributed to videos for the 20th Isfahan International Festival of Films for Children and Youth. In 2006, he became international section editor and translator for the quarterly arts publication Khat-Khati.

In 2007, Molayemi worked as a costume, weapon, and accessory designer for Peace Force, an animated feature film directed by Borzou Rafeipour. That year, he also founded and became the first secretary of the Scientific Association of Animation at the University of Art.

Honors and awards

Filmography In the Shadow of the Cypress (2023): Director, Producer, Character Designer, Layout Artist, Background Designer Run Rostam Run (2016) The Little Beetle: Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist Commando: Character Designer, Background Artist, Layout Artist Red Line: Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, Lead Animator, Editor The Neighbors (TV series): Art Director, Character Designer The Champions (TV series): Director, Character Designer The Fan (2014): Editor; directed by Shirin Sohani