Updated: February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Ziaian founded Bardya Pictures LTD during pandemic lockdowns specifically to create jobs for displaced entertainment industry professionals.
- Successful filmmaking requires a strong core team, careful casting, and the flexibility to solve unexpected on-set problems creatively.
- Entrepreneurs in creative fields should expect no step-by-step roadmap — adaptability and team quality are what drive projects to completion.
Bardya Ziaian is a Canadian entrepreneur and filmmaker who built a career at the intersection of business and creative storytelling. As the founder of Bardya Pictures LTD, he transformed a lifelong passion for cinema into a functioning independent production company — launching it during one of the most disruptive periods the entertainment industry has ever faced.
For entrepreneurs and small business owners who believe a strong business can be built around genuine passion, Ziaian’s story offers a grounded and practical blueprint. He approaches filmmaking the same way a founder approaches any complex venture: assembling the right team, solving problems in real time, and committing fully to execution — insights that translate directly into small business strategies for any industry.
In this interview — part of our ongoing series of entrepreneur interviews — Bardya Ziaian shares what inspired him to start a production company during pandemic lockdowns, what completing his first film actually felt like, and the direct advice he gives anyone ready to turn a creative vision into a real business.
Bardya Ziaian is a Canadian filmmaker and entrepreneur who has been able to channel his lifelong love affair with cinema into the creation of his own film production company, Bardya Pictures LTD.
Q: What first sparked your interest in filmmaking?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: I’ve always loved movies and been fascinated by the process of making them. I’m a math guy, and initially, I liked the puzzle aspect of it, where every piece fits together to form a seamless whole – from writing to casting, to how lighting affects a scene, and so on. The more I’ve learned, the more I want to learn. And I’ve been lucky enough to be able to build a very talented team who contribute to making our projects a reality.
Q: What did it feel like when you wrapped production on your first film?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: I would say I was both elated and relieved. I learned that the real “movie magic” is actually getting the movie made! There are so many moving parts and things to consider that it can make you crazy with doubt and worry. So when it was over, there was this real sense of “we did it! We pulled through as a team, and we survived!”. For all that hard work, for all those long hours, we have a finished movie. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work.
Q: Why did you decide to start a production company during the pandemic?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: Such a great question! One of the main reasons is that I knew it would help to create jobs. That’s actually why I decided to shoot our first movie, Super Dicks, even during lockdowns instead of waiting until after the lockdowns ended. You had these extremely talented professionals out of work due to something that wasn’t their fault. I always wanted to make a movie, and I love a challenge.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to make their first film?
BARDYA ZIAIAN: Do it! Don’t just jump into it, mind you. Assemble your core team, make sure you cast your film with the best possible people, and understand that there is no step-by-step guide to making a movie. So, if things go wrong during a filming day, you have to be able to come up with creative solutions. Finally, have fun! If you are lucky enough to make a movie, you are getting to breathe that rarified air. So enjoy it because it will be over before you know it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bardya Ziaian?
Bardya Ziaian is a Canadian entrepreneur and filmmaker who founded Bardya Pictures LTD, an independent film production company. With a background in business and a lifelong love of cinema, Ziaian launched his production company during the COVID-19 pandemic, directing his first feature film while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for entertainment professionals sidelined by lockdowns.
What is Bardya Pictures LTD?
Bardya Pictures LTD is an independent Canadian film production company founded by Bardya Ziaian. The company focuses on producing original film projects with a strong emphasis on team-building and creative problem-solving. Its first production was completed during pandemic lockdowns, reflecting Ziaian’s commitment to pushing projects forward under difficult conditions rather than waiting for ideal circumstances.
What was Bardya Ziaian’s first film?
Bardya Ziaian’s first film as a producer through Bardya Pictures LTD was Super Dicks, shot during COVID-19 lockdowns. Rather than waiting for restrictions to lift, Ziaian chose to proceed with production to provide work for skilled film professionals who were unemployed through no fault of their own — a decision driven as much by entrepreneurial purpose as creative ambition, similar to the mindset behind many home-based business ideas born from necessity.
How did Bardya Ziaian get into filmmaking?
Ziaian developed an early fascination with the structural complexity of filmmaking — how writing, casting, lighting, and dozens of moving elements combine to create a finished film. As a self-described “math guy,” he was drawn to the puzzle-like nature of production. Over time, he assembled a talented team capable of translating that lifelong passion into a working production company.
What advice does Bardya Ziaian give to first-time filmmakers?
Ziaian advises aspiring filmmakers to assemble a strong core team and cast carefully before anything else. He emphasizes that no step-by-step guide exists for making a film, so the ability to improvise creative solutions when things go wrong is essential. He also stresses the importance of enjoying the process — and once your project is complete, the real work of marketing your creative business begins.
