Waterwell Funds Iranian Diaspora Artists $100K

Waterwell, a nonprofit production venture co-founded by actor Arian Moayed, has partnered with Nimruz to significantly increase support for artistic expression within the Iranian diaspora. The Unseen Iran Grants program has doubled its funding to $100,000 for its second cycle.

This enhanced funding will enable 10 artists from the Iranian diaspora to pursue TV, film, theater, and other creative projects exploring Iranian identity and cultural connections. Individual awards will range from $5,000 to $20,000, with artists receiving mentorship over a six to 12-month production period. Applications are open until September 30, with selections announced in December.

"In moments like this, Iranian resilience starts to shine and the stories told by Iranians matter more than ever," stated Moayed, emphasizing the program's increased urgency amid global and internal conflicts impacting Iran. The initiative aims to foster dialogue and build solidarity across the diaspora, showcasing extraordinary work from the community.