As the Festival Director, Ms. Hila Hossein Sedighi serves as the creative and executive leader of the both 1st and 2nd editions of “Mehr International Festival”, overseeing every aspect of its artistic vision, organization, and execution. Her role unites art, culture, and management, guiding the festival from concept to completion with clarity, creativity, and purpose.
Ms. Sedighi defines the festival’s vision and creative direction, shaping its identity and curating diverse programs across music, theatre, photography, short film, and literature. Under her guidance, Mehr Festival has evolved into a vibrant platform that celebrates cultural diversity, artistic freedom, and human connection. She also leads the strategic collaborations and partnerships that sustain the festival’s growth—working closely with embassies, sponsors, and cultural institutions to strengthen its international presence and uphold artistic excellence across all sections.
As both a poet and cultural curator, Ms. Sedighi brings a deeply personal understanding of art’s transformative power to her role. Her vision embraces art as a universal language that bridges nations, inspires empathy, and nurtures unity. Through her direction, the Mehr International Festival continues to flourish—not merely as an event, but as a movement celebrating creativity, compassion, and the enduring beauty of human expression.
Festival Founder
Hila Sedighi (b. 1985, Tehran) is an acclaimed Iranian poet, painter, cultural curator, and human rights activist. She began publishing poetry as a teenager and soon became recognized for her lyrical, socially conscious voice. Alongside her literary career, she pursued law and co-founded several cultural NGOs in Iran, earning the Hellman/Hammett Award from Human Rights Watch (2012) for her advocacy work
In 2012, Hila relocated to Dubai, where she founded Mehromah Arthouse…