Arsi Nami

Highlights

• Born as Arsalan Nami, a child refugee from Shiraz, raised in Sweden, living in Los Angeles. He learned how to speak Farsi, Swedish, Dari, English, Norwegian, French and Spanish. Won international awards as an Actor, Singer, Screenwriter and a Music Therapist. He earned himself 14 International Best Actor awards in 2022 for his role of Dylan Steere in Aion, a film presented and sponsored by FujiFilm including Chicago Independent Film Festival, Swedish Film Festival, New York International Film Awards, Tokyo Film Awards and Cannes Silk Road Film Awards to name a few.
  
  His acting work in Aion was also selected and screened at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood, California. Arsi Nami was also the lead actor in two Telly Award winning Commercials in 2023, Through the Darkness and Eveready.
  
  He won the Jury Prize Award at 2017 Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches for his leading role in motion picture Love is Blind, portraying the visually-impaired Italian-American Giovanni. Love is Blind also won an award for disability awareness and was screened at Palais des Festival et des Congrès which is the most famous movie exhibition in the world.
  
  His screenplay Bachata won the Jury Prize for Best Short Screenplay at the 2021 Changing Face International Film Festival in Australia and Best Short Script at 2021 New York Movie Awards.
  
  Arsi Nami was also named as a Judge in the panel of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Cannes Film Festival International Entr'2 Marches.
  
  He was the lead actor in Children's Hospital Los Angeles production "Healthcare in the Cloud", a project that has raised over $8 million for children's vision health, as well as portraying a manic depressed French-American painter named Vincent, in 2017 European Cinematography Award-winning Drama short film Camelia. He also received another international claim via his outstanding and comedic role as Cadiz in the award winning and nominated "Just Cause 4" commercials for Square Enix, PlayStation and Xbox, as well as his lead role in the international hit music video "Hurt People" performed by international artists Aloe Blacc and Gryffin which reached over 1 million views on VEVO and Youtube.
  
  Arsi Nami has also been a guest-star on the Steve Harvey Show on NBCUniversal, as well as the Late Late Show with James Corden on CBS. His commercial acting credits include giant brands such as Google, PlayStation, Prada, Facebook, Hewlett Packard, BMW, KIA, Ford Motor Company, Samsung, Disney, NBA, Guitar Center and Los Defensores to name a few.
  
  He was also nominated for Best lead male actor in comedy film Villa, a 2017 Official Selection at Premio Tortoreto alla Cultura in Italy, AM Film Festival in Egypt and International Festival of Short Films on Culture & Tourism, India. His modeling work include brands such as MGM Grand, Mercedes-Benz, Prada, Carriere Menswear, ETON of Sweden, FriarTux, Mens Wearhouse and Canali.
  
  According to MTV.com, he is also listed as one of the few award-winning multilingual actors, musicans and music therapists outside of Shiraz. He is also known to be the first Persian to introduce Music Therapy to the Persian population, where music is used to help increase quality of life for individuals with psychological and physical deficits.
  
  He is also being a philanthropist contributing and helping communities in need, such as special needs kids and individuals with disabilities. He is also known for contributing to the special needs and disability communities through film and music therapy.
  
  His National TV breakthrough started when he was 17 years old, participating on Sikta Mot Stjärnorna (Aiming at the Stars), a national talent show program televised on TV4 (Sweden).
  
  organized by FremantleMedia (American Idol). After two auditions where 4000 participated, he became one of the 45 to enter the show acting and singing "Hero" (by Enrique Iglesias) live on national television, winning the second place award.
  
  Music credits: Fox TV show's Bones, The Goodwin Games, Cannes Film Festival winning film Love Is Blind and Crown Prince of Heaven.
  
  Backstory
  
  Arsi Nami, was born as Arsalan Nami, in Shiraz, Iran. He and his family were refugees migrating to Sweden in 1988 during the Iran and Iraq war. He grew up in Sweden, speaking Farsi, Swedish, English, Norwegian, fundamentals in French,Danish and Spanish.
  
  He originally took on the career of a basketball player as he accomplished receiving 2 Most Valuable Player Awards as the best player in Jönköping during the 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 season and 1 Most Valuable Player Award as the best player of Southern Sweden during the Swedish Championship Basketball Competition in 1997/1998 season.
  
  His music breakthrough came around the corner of year 2002, as he was offered to learn how to play the guitar by his high school teacher, which gained his music skills and had him later that year, audition and make it through the final round to participate on "Aiming at the Stars" a national talent show program televised on TV4 (Sweden) organized by Freemantle Media (American Idol), singing live on television winning the 2nd place award.
  
  In 2006 Arsi Nami moved to Los Angeles as he was accepted to the Music program at Santa Monica College, which graduated with Music A.A honors. By 2010, his music career started to take a different route. His brother was diagnosed by spinal cord cancer, which left his right side of body temporary paralyzed. Arsi watched his brother go through physical therapy as well as music therapy as part of his rehabilitation and recovery. He witnessed his brother gain motor skills in his right side of body by playing the piano, where playing the keys with his fingers made his blood flow and circulate to strengthen his fine and gross motor skills. His brother was back to work and Arsi had found his new passion and career within Music Therapy. He auditioned for the music therapy program at California State University of Northridge and was one of the 23 students to make the program. He graduated in 2014 with Honors and Bachelor Arts degree in Music Therapy.
  
  He has since then been a philanthropist founding a non profit organization Opportunitree, serving all individuals with disabilities, children, elderly as well as the community with music therapy and creative arts to help increase their daily living skills and quality of lives. He has also been invited as a guest speaker to universities such as UCLA, California State University of Channel Islands, Northridge as well as to different cities in the U.S and major TV and Radio station to talk about music therapy as well as sharing his life story from Iran to Sweden to Los Angeles to inspire students and communities.
  
  He is today is listed as one of the few award winning multilingual Pop Singers and Music Therapist outside of Iran. He is also known to be the first Iranian to introduce Music Therapy to the Iranian population, where music is used to help increase quality of life for individuals with psychological and physical deficits.
  
  ACTING CAREER
  
  Arsi Nami's acting career blossomed with international awards including Cannes and Los Angeles through a silver lining. He took on the acting career after a car accident suffering from depression and pain. He attended acting workshops part of his rehabilitation.
  
  His passion for acting grew as he auditioned for the role of a blind man in Love is Blind, a population which he had been working for since he was 16 years old within healthcare and music therapy.
  
  The drama short film, Love Is Blind, went and won the 2017 Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches and an received an official selection at WE Care Film Festival in India, becoming a worldwide success for promoting disability awareness.
  
  Arsi Nami did also compose the Official film soundtrack of Love is Blind which was also nominated as Best Short in 2017 Hollywood Screening Festival. Arsi Nami was also named as a Judge at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival International Entr'2 Marches.Arsi Nami then continued giving back to the disability community through film as he also starred as the lead actor in Children's Hospital Los Angeles production "Healthcare in the Cloud", a production directed by award-winning director Clay Westervelt and Dr. Thomas C Lee which that has raised over $8 million for children's vision health. Healthcare in the Cloud premiered at 2018 Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Awards with invited guests such as academy award-winning actress Meryl Streep.
  
  With Arsi Nami's experience of working with population with mental health disorders, he took on the leading role of manic depressed painter, Vincent, in Camelia. A film that came to win the 2017 European Cinematography Award. He was also the lead actor in comedy film Villa, a 2017 Official Selection at Premio Tortoreto alla Cultura, Italy and International Festival of Short Films on Culture & Tourism, India. Arsi Nami also composed the soundtrack for Love is Blind as well as being the poster and art director.
  
  Arsi Nami also stars as Cadiz the soldier in Just Cause 4 Video Game Live Action Trailer for PlayStation and Xbox. He also acted as the lead actor in comedy film Villa, an Official Selection in 2017 IFFC International Film Festival in India. Commercials include: Disney, Kia, BMW, Cadillac, HP, Samsung, NBA, Vivo Phone China, Guitar Center, Independence Day Resurgence, Westin Hotels, Clorox, El Vato, Los Defensores etc.
  
  Arsi Nami's music has been featured on several TV Shows, films and video games. His song She Wants To Fly (feat. Levi Whalen) was featured on FOX TV show Bones on May 12, 2014. The song was originally written for Freedom In Iran during the 2009 Presidential Elections and has previously been featured on the soundtrack of Cannes Film Festival feauted independent movie "Crown Prince of Heaven" in 2010. It has also been broadcast on major TV networks around the world such as Peace Day Television show which has featured world figures Dalai Lama, Bono, U2, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie etc.
  
  His dance-pop song Never Be Lonely (feat. Levi Whalen) was on June 3, 2013 featured on Fox TV show The Goodwin Games, Never Be Lonely is also featured as the Official Dance track for Web Video Game Good Game Disco, made by 2012/2013 Award winning European Game developer Goodgame Studios.
  
  His song "Paradise" (feat. Levi Whalen) was on May 1, 2015 voted as #1 song at top 100 Indie Dance/Disco chart on Spinnin' Records Talent Pool. The song was also voted as number 1 song at March top 10 House dance chart on House Charts.com
  
  His song Miracle was featured for ten weeks on Beatport as Top Staff Pick in the pop/rock category along with Kelly Clarkson and Radiohead.His music is Pop, with his cultural musical blend of Eurodance, World Rhythms and Electronica.
  
  Arsi Nami also joins Andrea Bocelli, The Beatles and Elvis Presley for releasing Consuelo Velázquez famous song Besame Mucho, which makes it the first Duo/Latin Dance version in history of this Public Domain song, produced by Levi Whalen and co-sung with singer Jacqueline Padilla
  
  On April 27th Arsi Nami became the first artist to release his Pop Electronic and Progressive House rendition of world famous Italian song Caro Mio Ben featuring UK based producer Kryphon. Caro Mio Ben was written by italian composer Giuseppe Giordani, and famous by artists such as Luciano Pavarotti.
  
  On January 14, 2012, Arsi Nami was signed by Music Publishing company Winogradsky/Sobel to have his music pitched for Television, Film, Video Games etc. becoming the first artist in the company representing Pop, Dance and World Music
  
  His song Miracle also listed on FairShareMusic, with profits going to human rights and health support organizations such as: Red Cross, War Child, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Amnesty, Cancer Care & Research.
  
  Music therapy
  According to MTV.com, Arsi Nami has also been known for being the first Iranian to introduce music therapy to the Iranian population, where music is used to help increase quality of life for individuals with psychological and physical deficits. That includes his several TV appearances on giant Iranian media television stations such as IRAN TV, Mardoom TV and TinTV and invitations to speak at UCLA. He has been awarded several scholarships and awards for his music therapy practice and accomplishments. His recent awards include:The 2014 James R Simpson Merit Scholarship awarded by President Dianne Harrison of California State University, Northridge, The Royal Swedish Music Academy Award in 2012 and the Bayramian Art Scholarship Award in 2012 and 2013, for his music therapy studies and accomplishments. Arsi Nami does also spend his time making motivational and guest speaking appearances. Speeches include: Music Therapy, the positive influence of music on children and his music and cultural journey from Iran to Sweden to Los Angeles. His speeches also include leading instrumental music improvisation and therapeutic music instrumentation with the audience. Invitations include Stand Up to Cancer at UCLA, Music Entrepreneurship classes at California State University of Northridge, Music For Your Heart Foundation in Miami, Children's Boosh Foundation in Los Angeles, International Children Foundation in Santa Barbara, Cottage Health System in Santa Barbara and California State University, Channel Islands.
  
  Philanthropy
  Arsi Nami Co-Founded Non-Profit Organization Opportunitree to help the community, children, elderly and individuals with disabilities. He also spends a lot of time doing humanitarian work, raising awareness for human rights and health support organizations. He has been involved and contributed to charities such as:Red Cross, War Child, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, Amnesty, WWF, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and ActionAid. He is also active bringing the importance of Music, Music Therapy to the community, children, elderly and individuals with disabilities.
  Arsi Nami raising awareness in an ad for Human Rights in 2012
  Arsi Nami's song She Wants To Fly was also written for Freedom and Human Rights in Iran, which has been featured at Peaceday TV and Cannes Film Festival short Film Crown Prince of Heaven. He has also been a guest artist at Charities such as: Children's Boosh Foundation at Taglyan Place, Los Angeles, Music for your Heart Foundation in Miami, Stand Up 2 Cancer at UCLA, International Children Foundation in Santa Barbara to name a few.
  His music is also listed on FairShareMusic, with profits going to human rights and health support organizations.
  
  Awards and nominations
  
  
  Clio Awards
  Best Commercial Award
  *Winner*
  Just Cause 4 Commercial
  Cadiz - (Lead Actor)
  2019
  
  
  
  Promax Games Awards
  ​Best Commercial Award
  *Nominee*
  Just Cause 4 Commercial
  Cadiz - (Lead Actor)
  2019
  
  
  
  ThinkLA Idea Awards
  ​Best Commercial Award
  Nominee and Finalist
  Just Cause 4 Commercial
  Cadiz - (Lead Actor)
  2019
  
  
  
  Orlando Film Festival
  
  *Best Film Nomination *
  
  "Stop Dreaming of Me"
  
  (Lead Actor/Poster artist)
  
  2018
  
  
  
  *Cannes Film Festival International
  
  Entr'2 Marches a Cannes -
  
  *Jury Price Winner*
  
  Love is Blind -
  
  (Lead Actor/Composer/Art Director) 2017
  
  
  
  European Cinematography Awards
  
  *Winner *
  
  Best Film - Camelia
  
  (Lead Actor/Poster artist)
  
  2017
  
  
  
  We Care Film International Film Festival
  
  New Delhi, India -
  
  *Best Film Nomination*
  
  Love is Blind -
  
  (Lead Actor/Composer/Art Director)
  
  2017
  
  
  
  Hollywood Screenings Film Festival
  
  Best Film Nomination -
  
  Love is Blind
  
  (Lead Actor/Composer/Art Director)
  
  2017
  
  
  
  International Film Festival
  
  Premio Tortoreto alla Cultura, Italy
  
  *Best Film Nomination*
  
  Villa
  
  (Lead Actor/Art Director)
  
  2017
  
  
  
  IFFC- International Festival
  
  of Short films on Culture & Tourism, India
  
  *Best Film Nomination*
  
  Villa
  
  (Lead Actor/Art Director)
  
  2017
  
  
  
  Bayramian Art Scholarship Award
  
  2014
  
  
  
  James R. Simpson Merit Scholarship Award for Music Therapy studies
  
  (Awarded by President Dianne Harrison at California State University of Northridge)
  
  2014
  
  
  
  Royal Swedish Music Academy Scholarship Award
  
  (Kungliga Musikaliska Akademien)
  
  2013
  
  
  
  Bayramian Art Scholarship Award
  
  2013
  
  
  
  Music For Your Heart Foundation - Certification Appreciation Award 2012
  
  
  
  Nominated as UGT Talent Award Show best lead singer
  
  2010
  
  
  
  Pearl M Follmer Memorial Music Scholarship Award
  
  2010
  
  
  
  William T L Gertrude V. Powell Memorial Music Scholarship Award
  
  2009
  
  
  
  Iranian.com
  
  Iranian of the day Award 2008
  
  
  
  Simon Trust Music Scholarship Award 2008
  
  
  
  Esther Landon Memorial Music Scholarship Award
  
  2007
  
  Aiming at Stars 2nd Place Award
  
  (National Television Competition Sweden)
  
  2002
  
  
  
  
  
  JUDGE / JURY
  
  
  
  
  2018 Cannes Film Festival Entr'2 Marches
  
  
  
  2019 Cannes Film Festival Entr'2 Marches
  
  
  
  2020 Cannes Film Festival Entr'2 Marches