PERSIAN PODCAST
FESTIVAL
VANCOUVER | SEP 19, SEP 20 & SEP 21
TORONTO | SEP 27, SEP 28, SEP 29
In a world where books are left untouched on shelves, social media is saturated with superficial content, and many Iranians abroad grapple with loneliness, lack of time, and the challenges of living far from home, Persian podcasts have emerged as a genuine, captivating, independent, and community-driven medium. In recent years, young Iranian creators both inside and outside of Iran have produced remarkable podcasts that have gained immense popularity among Persian-speaking audiences. These podcasts have filled critical gaps by providing companionship, thoughtful narratives, cultural enrichment, and meaningful connections. The success of live podcast performances in Iran, the strong rapport and healthy competition among Persian podcasters, and the emergence of prominent creators abroad have inspired us to celebrate this innovative and powerful medium.
SPOTLIGHT ON PERSIAN PODCASTS
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL PERSIAN
PODCAST FESTIVAL
STAGE PERFORMERS
Our Persian Podcast Festival proudly features an inspiring lineup of voices. Soroush Sehhat hosts the event, joined by Ehsan Abdipour (Ehsanoo), Banafshe Taherian (Chai ba Banafsh), Amir Soodbakhsh (Rokh), Heli Hendesi (Helitalk), and Amir Khadem (The Story of the Constitutional Revolution). Together, they bring stories, conversations, and performances that celebrate creativity and the vibrant world of Persian podcasting.
Soroush Sehhat
Host
Soheil Alavi
Podcast: Tabaghe 16
Ehsan Abdipour
Podcast: Ehsanoo
Banafsheh Taherian
Podcast: Chai ba Banafsheh
Amir Soodbakhsh
Podcast: Rokh
Helli Hendesi
Podcast: Hellitalk
Amir Khadem
The Story of the Constitutional Revolution
VISION & PURPOSE
• Providing a platform for live performances and direct interaction between podcasters and their audiences.
• Recognizing, celebrating, and supporting outstanding Persian podcasts. • Encouraging the community to engage with high-quality, thought-provoking content. • Creating a vibrant cultural, literary, independent, and inclusive environment outside of Iran.
• Elevating the global presence and significance of Persian podcasts.
Festival Objectives
This Festival is inspired by a similar event organized by "Jabe Siah" podcast in Tehran, where leading domestic podcasters were recognized for their contributions to the Persian community. Building upon this tradition, our festival highlights distinguished creators from both Iran and the Iranian diaspora through live performances, engaging panel discussions, and inspiring musical segments in Vancouver and Toronto.
Inspiration
VENUES
The events in Vancouver will take place across a variety of venues to create a diverse and engaging experience. Larger gatherings and main programs will be hosted at four primary cultural spaces: Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver, Kay Meek Arts Centre in West Vancouver, VIVA Alliance in Vancouver, and Zameen Art House on Granville Island. In addition to these main venues, smaller and more intimate sessions will also be held at three community-oriented spaces. Family Art House, Pan Beh Bookstore, and Nazanin Academy specially selected to support local cultural initiatives and events with fewer than 50 attendees. This multi-venue approach ensures that both large-scale performances and smaller interactive events are accessible to a wide audience.
CENTENNIAL THEATRE
Capacity: 550
KAY MEEK ARTS CENTRE
Capacity: 488
VIVA ALLIANCE
Capacity: 150
ZAMEEN ART HOUSE
Capacity: 65
SPECIAL EVENTS
Saturday, September 20 | 8:00–9:30 PM
Stories and Songs: Whispers of the South
Tales woven by Ehsan Abdipour, brought to life by the voice of Mina Deris
Venue: Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancouver
Sunday, September 21 | 7:00–9:00 PM
Closing Ceremony of the Persian Podcast Festival hosted by Soroush Sehhat
Special discussion panel with top Persian language podcasters
featuring Ehsan Abdi Pour (“Ehsanoo”), Banafsha Taherian (“Tea with Banafsha”), Heli Hendessi (“Heli Talk”), Amir Khadem (“The Story of the Constitutional Revolution”) — in person, along with other prominent podcasters joining online from Iran: Amir Soodbakhsh (“Rokh”), Bardiya Barjesteh Nejad (“Album”), Hamed Vahdatinesh (“Goodbye Africa”), and more.
Venue: Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver
VIP TICKETS
VIVA Alliance members pay 15% less on all the following events by paying $10 a month.
Includes full access to Centennial, Kay Meek and opening ceremony at VIVA Alliance main in Vancouver as well as exclusive access to the Friday evening VIP party and a book signing with Soroush Sehhat.
VIP tickets include:
1. Join us for an exclusive pre-festival evening with Soroush Sehhat and Ehsan Abdipour, featuring a special book signing of “Taxi Riding” by Soroush Sehat.
Venue: Viva Alliance, Vancouver
Date: Friday, September 19 | 7:00–9:00 PM
2. Stories and Songs by Ehsan Abdipour, Mina Deris [Front-row Tickets]
Venue: Kay Meek Arts Centre, West Vancouver
Date: Saturday, September 20 | 8:00–9:30 PM
3. Closing Ceremony by Soroush Sehhat and all Podcasters [Front-row Tickets]
Venue: Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver
Date: Sunday, September 21 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM
EVENTS
VIP Gathering Night
An exclusive pre-festival evening with Soroush Sehhat and Ehsan Abdipour, featuring a special book signing of “Taxi Riding” by Soroush Sehat.
Dates: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 7:00 – 9:30 PM
Location: VIVA Alliance
353 Railway St #401, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4
مهمانی ویژه پیش درامد فستیوال پادکست فارسی
در کنار سروش صحت، احسان عبدی پور و برخی پادکسترهای مطرح فارسی
همراه با امضای کتاب «تاکسی سواری» اثر سروش صحت
تاریخ: جمعه، ۱۹ سپتامبر ٢٠٢۵
زمان: ۷:۰۰ تا ۹:۰۰ شب
مکان: ویوا
Workshop: Story, Repair Shop for Reality
A Workshop on Writing Stories and Narrative Essays
Instructor: Ehsan AbdiPour
Dates: Monday & Tuesday, September 15 & 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Zameen Art House
1515 Anderson St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
کارگاه: داستان، تعمیرگاهِ واقعیت
کارگاه: نوشتن داستان و جستار روایی
مدرس: احسان عبدیپور
تاریخ: دوشنبه و سهشنبه ۱۵ و ۱۶ سپتامبر
زمان: ۶ تا ۹ عصر
مکان: خانه هنر زمین
A Review with the Story of the Constitutional Revolution
Live Podcast Performance with Amir Khadem
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Zameen Art House
1516 Anderson St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
Join us for a live podcast performance of “The Story of the Constitutional Revolution” with Amir Khadem.
«اجراى زنده پادكست «ماجراى مشروطه
با امير خادم
تاریخ: شنبه، ۲۰ سپتامبر ٢٠٢٥
زمان: ١١ تا ١٢:٣٠ صبح
مکان: خانه هنر زمین
Persian Podcast Festival – Humans, Code, and Community
Humans, Code, and Community: Redefining Work in the Age of AI with Soheil Alavi
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Location: Zameen Art House
1516 Anderson St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
فستیوال پادکست فارسی – نوآوری و هوش مصنوعی
انسان، کد و جامعه: بازتعریف کار در عصر هوش مصنوعی با سهیل علوی
تاریخ: شنبه، ۲۰ سپتامبر ٢٠٢٥
زمان: ۲ تا ۳:۳۰ عصر
مکان: خانه هنر زمین
Writing Workshop with Soroush Sehhat
Dates: Monday & Tuesday, September 22 & 23, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM (6 hours total – 3 hours each day)
Location: Zameen Art House
1516 Anderson St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5
A two-day creative writing workshop with renowned writer Soroush Sehhat, focusing on techniques, inspiration, and personal expression in storytelling.
جهان نوشتن
کارگاه آموزشی نویسندگی با سروش صحت
شامل تمرینهای خلاقیت، شیوههای نوشتن و بیان شخصی در داستاننویسی
تاریخ: دوشنبه و سهشنبه
زمان: ۶ تا ۹ عصر (جمعاً ۶ ساعت – ۳ ساعت هر روز)
مکان: خانه هنر زمین
ونکوور، 1515 خیابان اندرسون
کارگاه دو روزه نویسندگی با سروش صحت؛
طراحی زندگی برای رشد، تعادل و هماهنگى
«كارگاه آموزشى با هلى هندسى تهيه كنندهى پادكست «هلى تاك»
تاریخ: يكشنبه، ٢١ سپتامبر ٢٠٢٥
زمان: ١١:۰۰ صبح تا ۱۲:۳۰ بعد از ظهر
مکان: ویوا
Life Design for Growth, Balance & Harmony
Live workshop with Helli Hendesi Producer of the Hellitalk Podcast
Dates: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 11:00 – 12:30 PM
Location: VIVA Alliance
353 Railway St #401, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4
Chai with Banafsheh
A performance featuring excerpts from two books:
"From the Book of Desire to the Book of Fidelity"
"Kalila and Demna, Selected by Nezami and Narrated by Banafsha"
Including book signings and a live performance
by Banafsha Taherian.
Dates: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 2:00 – 03:30 PM
Location: VIVA Alliance
353 Railway St #401, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4
چای با بنفشه
اجرای زنده بنفشه طاهریان همراه با امضای کتاب
«از هوسنامه تا وفانامه»
«کلیله و دمنه به انتخاب نظامی و روایت بنفشه»
تاریخ: يكشنبه، ٢١ سپتامبر ٢٠٢
زمان: ۲:۰۰ تا ۳:۳۰ بعد از ظهر
مکان: ویوا
CONTACTS
Zameen Art House
+1 (604) 789-3186
info@zameenarthouse.com
1515 Anderson St. Granville Island
