By Meryl
For many aspiring filmmakers, the journey begins with a passion for storytelling. But for Syrus Sadvandi, an Iranian-American student from Southern California, set to graduate from National Chengchi University’s (NCCU) International Master’s Program in International Communication Studies (IMICS), the road has been anything but conventional.
A filmmaker, documentarian, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Syrus has spent his time in Taiwan mastering the art of visual storytelling, building a career in the film industry, and pushing the boundaries of representation in media.
▲For many aspiring filmmakers, the journey begins with a passion for storytelling. But for Syrus Sadvandi, an Iranian-American student set to graduate from National Chengchi University’s (NCCU) International Master’s Program in International Communication Studies (IMICS), the road has been anything but conventional. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
Through documentaries screened in festivals worldwide, projects highlighting Taiwan’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and deep personal reflection, Syrus has transformed his time at NCCU into a launchpad for a global career in filmmaking.
Syrus’ decision to study in Taiwan wasn’t just an academic choice but a personal one. As an undergraduate at UC Irvine, he was introduced to the region through a class on the political economy of East Asia. Encouraged by his professor, who is now a faculty member at NCCU, Syrus took the leap and spent a summer in Taiwan studying Chinese at the National Taiwan Normal University.
“I just really fell in love with Taiwan—the public transport, the culture, and the opportunities, and I knew I had to come back,” he recalled.
▲“I just really fell in love with Taiwan—the public transport, the culture, and the opportunities, and I knew I had to come back,” he recalled. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
After graduating in 2020, he applied for a master’s degree at NCCU, earning a full-ride scholarship with a stipend—a rare opportunity that would allow him to focus fully on his creative ambitions. However, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, his plans were nearly derailed.
“I almost didn’t come,” he admitted. But after reaching out to another student in the program for advice, he made his final decision: Taiwan was where he belonged.
For Syrus, the IMICS program at NCCU wasn’t just about coursework—it was about the opportunities he found outside the classroom. While the program exposed him to fundamental aspects of communication, media, and storytelling, it was the extracurricular and real-world experiences that truly shaped his path.
▲For Syrus, the IMICS program at NCCU wasn’t just about coursework—it was about the opportunities he found outside the classroom. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
One key moment was attending a New Bloom event early in his NCCU career. A conversation with a stranger led to his first professional photography gig, shooting for Taiwan’s Drag King community.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be there,” he laughed, recalling how he unexpectedly became part of the scene.
This opportunity led to bigger things, including a Ministry of Culture-sponsored project, Taiwan Pitch, which allowed him to develop his first documentary about Taiwan’s drag kings. The unexpected encounters and networking in Taiwan proved crucial.
“I was at a bar one night, complimenting some people on their tattoos and piercings, and suddenly they were like, ‘Wait, Syrus? We loved your pitch!’,” he shared.
▲This opportunity led to bigger things, including a Ministry of Culture-sponsored project, Taiwan Pitch, which allowed him to develop his first documentary about Taiwan’s drag kings. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
After quick clarification, Syrus later found out that these two girls were working for the Taiwan Pitch project and told him that he was actually among the top two in the competition.
“I was shocked because, for me, I didn't have confidence in it and I didn't feel like what I did was that interesting or great, but they liked it and wanted a story about drag kings,” Syrus shared.
This kind of serendipitous networking became a theme in Syrus’ career, proving that film and media are not just about talent—they’re about connections, persistence, and, as he put it, “hustling.”
Syrus’ journey into filmmaking was anything but easy. His work required not just creative vision, but logistical precision, budget management, and relentless perseverance.
One of the most significant skills he developed was narrative structuring. He recalled spending 14 hours conducting interviews for a documentary and painstakingly reducing them to a concise 22-minute film.
▲One of the most significant skills he developed was narrative structuring. He recalled spending 14 hours conducting interviews for a documentary and painstakingly reducing them to a concise 22-minute film. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
“I literally taped transcripts to my walls and moved them around like a crime scene investigation,” he laughed.
But beyond technical skills, filmmaking taught him how to communicate with people on a deeper level. “In documentaries, you become part journalist, part psychologist,” he explained. “You have to ask uncomfortable questions—things like, ‘Do your parents know you’re gay?’ or ‘How does it feel to live with that secret?’”
This ability to push conversations to deeper, more uncomfortable places is what makes his documentaries stand out. While traditional journalism often skims the surface, Syrus’ work dives into the personal, the painful, and the transformative.
▲While traditional journalism often skims the surface, Syrus’ work dives into the personal, the painful, and the transformative. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
A central theme in Syrus’ work has been the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan. Through documentaries like “Kings of Taiwan” and “Kiki House of Vace”, he has captured the voices of drag kings, voguing dancers, and transgender individuals, shining a light on both the triumphs and struggles of LGBTQ+ life in Taiwan.
His documentary “Kiki House of Vace”, in particular, was a breakthrough moment. By following two key subjects—a transgender woman and a gay man working in corporate Taiwan—the film revealed the hidden challenges of being queer in a society that is outwardly progressive but still retains traditional attitudes beneath the surface.
▲A central theme in Syrus’ work has been the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Taiwan. Through documentaries like “Kings of Taiwan” and “Kiki House of Vace”, he has captured the voices of drag kings, voguing dancers, and transgender individuals. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
“They talked about how, despite Taiwan’s reputation as Asia’s LGBTQ+ capital, queer people still face significant employment discrimination,” Syrus explained.
His interviewees shared first-hand accounts of being rejected for jobs or feeling pressured to hide their identities in professional settings.
One subject, a gay corporate worker, described wearing a “mask” at work to ensure career advancement. “He had to pretend to be straight just to get promoted,” Syrus said, highlighting the gap between social acceptance and workplace reality.
These films didn’t just tell stories—they started conversations. Syrus was shocked and honored to learn that a university professor in Taiwan was using his documentary as an educational tool.
“He just found it online and decided to teach it in class, and to me, that was surreal,” Syrus shared.
▲Syrus was shocked and honored to learn that a university professor in Taiwan was using his documentary as an educational tool. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
Speaking of one of the most significant moments in Syrus’ filming life, his experience of reaching out to Kobi Mizrahi, a famous music producer based in Japan, cannot be overlooked. Syrus got in touch with Kobi through a friend that he is acquainted with, and Kobi was working under a well-known music label, Queen Beat Productions for Beyonce back then.
When Syrus reached out to Kobi, he knew his position as a student would act as a con for he could not provide a large sum of funds, but he still picked up his courage and direct-messaged Kobi.
“I’m like, hey, Kobi, I like your music and can I maybe use it in my film,” Syrus recalled. “It’s knowing how to be humble and try to be like ‘Hey, I am a student and this is a low-budget independent film, so we don’t have a lot of money, and we could pay this much at most, but would you be willing to give your music for free?’”
In Syrus’s opinion, the most important thing he needs to do when filming a documentary is to keep reaching out. “Most of the artists and producers had experienced some difficulties similar to yours, and they’ve all been in the same place as you, so they’re willing to help and talk to you.”
▲In Syrus’s opinion, the most important thing he needs to do when filming a documentary is to keep reaching out. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
With his graduation from NCCU approaching, Syrus is actively charting the next steps of his career. His ambitions extend beyond Taiwan, with multiple potential career paths in documentary filmmaking, investigative storytelling, and international media production.
Before leaving Taiwan, Syrus is determined to complete one last documentary project, this time focusing on Café Dalida, a pivotal space for Taiwan’s drag and LGBTQ+ community. “I want to capture what makes Dalida special—a place where people feel like they truly belong,” he explained.
Before leaving Taiwan, Syrus is determined to complete one last documentary project, this time focusing on Café Dalida, a pivotal space for Taiwan’s drag and LGBTQ+ community. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
Unlike his previous projects, which had external funding, this film will be entirely self-funded. Syrus plans to work and save money while producing the documentary, emphasizing that being resourceful is one of the most crucial skills for independent filmmakers.
“I’ve applied for grants before, but they’re tough to get, so this time, I’ll fund it myself, proving that filmmaking doesn’t always require a big budget—just determination and creativity,” he said.
▲“I’ve applied for grants before, but they’re tough to get, so this time, I’ll fund it myself, proving that filmmaking doesn’t always require a big budget—just determination and creativity,” he said. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
Beyond Taiwan, Syrus has his eyes set on highly competitive fellowships that could catapult him into the international documentary scene. His top choices include National Geographic’s Explorer Program, a one-year fellowship allowing him to conduct on-the-ground research and storytelling in Kenya, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights in Africa, and the New York Times Fellowship, a prestigious program that places emerging journalists in video production and investigative reporting roles.
“These fellowships are extremely competitive, but you just have to apply because you’ll miss 100% of the chances if you don’t take them,” he advised.
Another possible route for Syrus is to return to the United States and work in Hollywood. He has connections in North Hollywood, where he could start as a production assistant before climbing the ranks.
“Hollywood is tough, but it’s a place where you learn fast, and if I can get my foot in the door, I’ll be exposed to an entirely different scale of filmmaking,” he said.
Another potential employer for Syrus will be the PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), where Syrus hopes to secure a documentary-focused journalism job. One of PBS’ programs even offers positions on Native American reservations, combining teaching storytelling with field reporting.
Regardless of the path taken, one thing remains constant—his passion for storytelling and his commitment to making underrepresented voices heard.
▲Regardless of the path he takes, one thing remains constant—Syrus’ passion for storytelling and his commitment to making underrepresented voices heard. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
For students who dream of entering the film and documentary industry, Syrus offers two key pieces of advice: first, learn how to network, and second, do your homework.
“Reach out to people, and do informational interviews,” he said. “If you don’t know how, ask me! Message me on Instagram, message me on LinkedIn, and I’ll literally teach you how.”
On the other hand, Syrus also pointed out the importance for the newbies in the industry to do their homework.
“If you want to be a filmmaker, research grants, funding, and scholarships,” he said. “Taiwan has tons of opportunities, from the Ministry of Culture to private foundations, so just apply for everything.”
Above all, he emphasized the importance of hustling. “People think opportunities will just come to them, but, they won’t, so you have to make them happen.”
As Syrus Sadvandi steps into the next chapter of his career, he carries with him the lessons learned at NCCU, the connections forged in Taiwan’s creative scene, and the stories he has told through film. Whether working on documentaries, feature films, or global media projects, one thing is certain: his voice will continue to amplify the stories that matter.
Through his filmmaking and advocacy, Syrus proves that storytelling is more than just an art—it’s a tool for change.
▲As Syrus Sadvandi steps into the next chapter of his career, he carries with him the lessons learned at NCCU, the connections forged in Taiwan’s creative scene, and the stories he has told through film. Photo courtesy of Syrus Sadvandi Feb 18, 2025
Links to some of Syrus’ work:
https://www.taiwanplus.com/shows/culture/taiwan-pitch/230217037/kings-of-taiwan
https://vimeo.com/994575052/92c4a9e511
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndRYiftGJcY&ab_channel=TaiwanPlusDocs
Syrus’ Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/syrus-sadvandi-1b6529129/
Syrus’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/super_swagyolo_hipster?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
