Behzad Dabiri’s journey from struggle to success fuels his powerful storytelling, inspiring resilience through art.
In the shadows of New York City’s skyscrapers, where dreams are born and often forgotten, one artist has proven that resilience can be just as powerful as talent. Behzad Dabiri, actor, writer, and filmmaker, didn’t simply find success. He created it by rewriting his own narrative, turning hardship into an unmatched creative force. His story, from displacement to recognition in multiple artistic realms, serves as a beacon for those looking to turn adversity into opportunity.
Behzad’s path has been anything but traditional. Born into a life of uncertainty and displacement, he faced challenges most people couldn’t fathom. But instead of succumbing to the pressures of a fractured life, Behzad channeled his experiences into art. Today, his name is associated with thought-provoking stories that touch on everything from immigration to personal transformation, stories that aren’t just heard, but felt.
A Childhood of Struggle: Turning Pain into Purpose
Behzad’s early years were marked by upheaval and displacement. As a child, he moved across countries and cultures, never quite fitting into any one place. But it was precisely this instability that would lay the foundation for his artistic vision. From a young age, Behzad learned that stories have the power to transcend borders, offering a sense of belonging even when everything else felt uncertain.
By adolescence, he had lived in multiple countries, always struggling to find his footing. The constant need to adapt to new environments, to survive, and to navigate systems that weren’t built for someone like him, shaped his worldview. He worked numerous jobs, each experience adding a layer to his understanding of the world, and ultimately, to his storytelling.
Through it all, Behzad found solace in the one constant that remained with him: the stories he could tell. His passion for storytelling was not just a way to escape his circumstances, but a means to make sense of them. It became his anchor in a sea of chaos. Little did he know, the power of storytelling would ultimately serve as his path to creative freedom.
The New York Dream: From Struggles to the Stage
After arriving in the United States, Behzad was driven by a hunger, a hunger not only to survive but to create. He pursued acting with fierce determination, enrolling in The Theater Lab in Washington D.C. and continuing his training in New York. While these studios honed his craft, it was his own life that gave him the deepest insights into the emotional truths behind the characters he would play.
As Behzad immersed himself in acting, he realized something profound: to truly tell the stories he wanted to share, he needed to write them himself. So, he began to write. His first major writing project, Foreigner International, emerged from his deep engagement with themes of migration, identity, and belonging. Unlike many stories that focus on the politics of immigration, Foreigner International centers on the human experience—the universal desire for connection, acceptance, and the sustaining power of faith. The script is ready to be developed.
“I’ve always believed that art should speak to the heart. Political agendas are important, but at the core, people are moved by stories that resonate with their emotions, their struggles, and their dreams,” Behzad reflects.
His writing quickly expanded beyond the stage, opening up new doors for him to explore his creativity. But even as his creative world expanded, one thing remained constant: his commitment to using art as a tool for healing, personal growth, and social change.
Memoirs and Guides: A Journey of Transformation
In 2020, after years of introspection and artistic growth, Behzad released his memoir, Human Doing Human Being. The book was a deep dive into the process of self-transformation through emotional honesty, self-awareness, and conscious living. It resonated with readers who, like Behzad, had faced struggles of their own and were looking for ways to reclaim their personal power.
Behzad’s memoir was a departure from the conventional self-help genre. Instead of offering abstract theories, he shared personal stories of resilience, triumph, and, at times, failure. The book’s raw, introspective nature struck a chord with readers, offering them not just insight into Behzad’s life but guidance on how they, too, could rewrite their own stories.
“Writing this book was an act of catharsis for me. It was a way of confronting my past, my struggles, and finding a way to embrace them as part of my journey,” Behzad says. His memoir, paired with his other works like Change Your Story, Change Your Life and Calm Within Chaos, offered practical strategies for personal growth, strategies grounded not in theory, but in real-life experience.
Dreamers: Telling the Stories of Immigrant Life
Behzad didn’t stop at writing. After years as a New York actor facing constant rejection, he transitioned seamlessly into filmmaking, bringing his stories vividly to the screen. His first short film, Dreamers, written, co-produced, and starred in by Behzad, tells the story of an immigrant couple in New York City preparing for the birth of their first child while being pursued by ICE agents. While the film touches on pressing political issues, it is ultimately about something much deeper, the universal human experience of aspiration, belonging, and the fight for security in an uncertain world.
Premiering at the New York Short Film Festival, Dreamers resonated with audiences for its intimate, emotional portrayal of the immigrant experience. It wasn’t just about political oppression, it was about love, fear, hope, and survival. Director Michael Hand’s collaboration with Behzad brought a raw authenticity to the film, elevating it beyond a political statement into a moving exploration of the human spirit.
“Film allows me to show the emotional truths that lie beneath the surface of the stories we often hear. I hope that my audience feels the same emotions I’ve felt in my own journey,” says Behzad.
Hope Still Lives Here: The Fight for Freedom
Behzad’s next film project, Hope Still Lives Here, takes on a different kind of story, one rooted in political oppression, survival, and hope. The film is inspired by the true story of Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was sentenced to death by the Iranian regime for his activism. Behzad spent over two years researching the story, immersing himself in the details of Toomaj’s fight for freedom and the tireless efforts of those who helped him survive.
The project is a powerful statement on human rights and the importance of speaking out against injustice, but it is also deeply personal for Behzad. It’s a reminder that art can shine a light on the darkness, giving voice to those who are often silenced.
Street Chasers: Survival and Corruption in Urban Life
Behzad is also developing Street Chasers, a gritty feature that explores the complexities of urban survival. The film delves into themes of justice, corruption, and moral ambiguity, tackling the tough issues faced by individuals living in marginalized communities. The project focuses not on political ideologies, but on the raw, human experiences of survival and decision-making in an unforgiving world. The project, which focuses on the pressure points of urban life without adhering to any political framework, is already under review by producers, with investor conversations underway.
Authenticity in Every Frame
What sets Behzad’s work apart from others is his unrelenting commitment to authenticity. He refuses to sensationalize hardship or exploit struggles for dramatic effect. Instead, his stories focus on the quiet, often unspoken moments of courage and transformation, the moments that define us all.
“I don’t make films or write books just to entertain people. I make them to create a deeper connection, to make people feel less alone in their struggles,” Behzad explains. “Art is about revealing the truth of the human experience, without embellishment, without judgment.”
Join the Journey
Behzad Dabiri’s body of work is more than just a career, it’s a mission to reshape how we view hardship, resilience, and human connection. His work calls on us to embrace our own stories, to find strength in our struggles, and to rewrite our narratives.
For collaborators, producers, investors, and creative partners who are seeking stories that are not just compelling, but transformative, Behzad’s work offers a rare combination of artistic integrity and emotional depth. His journey is still unfolding, and those who join him now will be part of a movement to bring powerful, meaningful stories to the world.
To explore his writing, visit his Amazon author page
To follow Behzad’s artistic journey, connect with him on Instagram at Behzad Dabiri Official.
Behzad’s story is far from finished. Join him, and help shape the future of storytelling, one that celebrates resilience, authenticity, and the power to transform.