Desiree Akhavan

Desiree Akhavan's work unpicks the nuances and humor of identity, sexuality and shame. As an activist for LGBTQ rights in the film industry, Akhavan has faced rejection due to her portrayal of female sexuality. She uses her platform to tell queer female stories in her films.

Akhavan is a filmmaker, writer, and actress, known for her feature films including "Appropriate Behavior" (2014) and "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" (2018). Her first book is her memoir: "You're Embarrassing Yourself: Stories of Love, Lust, and Movies."

She studied Film and Theatre at Smith College and later pursued her passion at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Akhavan showcased her multifaceted talent by writing, directing, and acting in the lesbian-themed web series "The Slope". Besides, her acting prowess was also seen in season four of the TV show "Girls".

Her film "Appropriate Behavior" made a splash when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and the next year, Akhavan served as the President of the Queer Palm jury at the Cannes Film Festival. Her sitcom "The Bisexual", where she was the writer, director, and star, displayed her storytelling abilities. Her film "The Miseducation of Cameron Post", which she wrote, directed, and produced, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.