Posted by Independent Shorts Awards is honored to announce that award-winning film and television director David Mahmoudieh will join the Industry Panel as a guest speaker at the 8th Annual Independent Shorts Awards on September 19, 2026, at Regal LA Live in Los Angeles.
Working across film, episodic television, animation, and advertising, Mahmoudieh brings a wide-ranging perspective to the conversation—from developing independent short films and building an international commercial career to directing for a major Warner Bros. television series. The panel will take place from 4:45 PM to 6:00 PM in Cinema 10.
About David Mahmoudieh
Born in UK to an Iranian father and a British-French mother, David Mahmoudieh is an award-winning director whose work spans commercials, film, and television.
His short film Snake Dick won multiple awards at Oscar-qualifying festivals during its international festival run before reaching millions of viewers online. A feature-length adaptation is now in development.
Mahmoudieh was selected for the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program and later joined the Directors Guild of America’s Television Mentorship Program, an eight-month professional development initiative for DGA members pursuing episodic television directing.
His television work includes directing an episode of Warner Bros. and The CW’s hit series Superman & Lois. He is also directing the opening block of the miniseries Joker’s Downfall.
Mahmoudieh wrote and is attached to direct the feature film Worth for Roddenberry Entertainment, the production company established by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. He also co-created the upcoming animated series Naked Jim.
Through his commercial directing banner, Alpha Wolves, Mahmoudieh has directed campaigns and commercial work for brands including Google, LEGO, and Kia.
Attendees at the 8th Annual Independent Shorts Awards will have the opportunity to hear Mahmoudieh discuss the practical and creative realities of directing across different formats—from commercials and independent shorts to episodic television and feature development. His experience offers a valuable perspective on building a distinctive body of work while navigating the transition between independent filmmaking and larger industry productions.
Representing Lovebug as Co-Director
Mahmoudieh is the co-director, alongside Jalaludin Trautmann, of the short film Lovebug, which will make its North American premiere earlier in the day in Program 9: Beyond Reality — Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Other Stories, from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM in Cinema 10.
Set during a rainy night, Lovebug follows a mysterious woman who enters a stranger’s motel room searching for something she claims to have forgotten.
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