Alex Eskandarkhah, an award-winning and DGC-nominated Iranian-Canadian director, producer, writer, entrepreneur, actor, and co-founder of the Collective for Black Iranians, has made significant strides in the film industry. His work with the Collective, particularly as a producer of over 100 episodes of The Gifted Gab, paved the way for his directing and producing of the broadcast hour documentary “Coaching While Black.” This film premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival and Reelworld Film Festival and Summit, earning two AMPIA awards for Best Documentary Production over 30 minutes and Best Production Reflecting Cultural Diversity. Notably, it also won Best International Film at the International Black Film Festival. In addition to his work with the Collective, Alex has directed several short films for the Mosquers Film Festival and CBC. He was also selected as one of 30 filmmakers for the TELUS Storyhive Black Creators Edition, while simultaneously participating in the National Screen Institute’s EAVE On Demand Access program for producers. Alex’s identity plays a crucial role in his business endeavours. He owns and helped build several brick-and-mortar ventures in Alberta. His diverse experiences across various arenas, coupled with his Afro-Iranian heritage and upbringing in inner-city Toronto, inform his storytelling approach as a creative producer in all mediums. Recently, Alex completed directing a short narrative film titled “Cycles,” which will premiere on the festival circuit in 2025. He is also in the development phase of his first narrative feature film, which he is participating in the Reelworld Screen Institute Emerging 20 program for screenwriters.