Rokhand Gharavi
Founder & President, Owrang Institute · Creative Director · Producer · Editor
Rokhand Gharavi is a Tehran-born creative professional whose career spans over three decades across journalism, television, independent film production, and cultural nonprofit leadership.
She began her career in 1991 as an editorial member of Ashnā magazine, with a focus on arts and culture. By 1993, she had moved into television, working her way from assistant director to program planner and ultimately to senior producer — a role she held until 2007.
During this period, she founded Rokhand Film, one of Iran’s earliest home video production companies, and served as publisher and editor-in-chief of Havāye Zamān magazine for three issues — a publication that reflected her lifelong commitment to arts and cultural storytelling.
Among the early adopters of computer-based video editing in Iran, Rokhand immersed herself in Premiere and Photoshop at a time when the Adobe ecosystem was still finding its way into Iranian creative studios — teaching herself through instinct and experimentation, long before formal instruction existed. Her foundation in theater — her academic discipline — gave her a distinctive storytelling sensibility that continues to shape her editorial vision.
After immigrating to the United States, she channeled her decades of production expertise into building something lasting. In 2020, she co-founded the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture, registering it as a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian performing arts, literature, and cultural heritage in the Sacramento region.
Today, Rokhand serves as the creative and organizational director of Owrang — overseeing a growing team of designers, artists, and content creators who collaborate on the Institute’s visual identity, long-form video production, and podcast programming. From concept to execution, she guides each project — bringing together the right creative voices while ensuring that every piece of content reflects the artistic vision and cultural mission of Owrang.
All of this unfolds alongside a full-time professional career — driven not by obligation, but by a deep and enduring passion for Iranian arts and culture.
She began her career in 1991 as an editorial member of Ashnā magazine, with a focus on arts and culture. By 1993, she had moved into television, working her way from assistant director to program planner and ultimately to senior producer — a role she held until 2007.
During this period, she founded Rokhand Film, one of Iran’s earliest home video production companies, and served as publisher and editor-in-chief of Havāye Zamān magazine for three issues — a publication that reflected her lifelong commitment to arts and cultural storytelling.
Among the early adopters of computer-based video editing in Iran, Rokhand immersed herself in Premiere and Photoshop at a time when the Adobe ecosystem was still finding its way into Iranian creative studios — teaching herself through instinct and experimentation, long before formal instruction existed. Her foundation in theater — her academic discipline — gave her a distinctive storytelling sensibility that continues to shape her editorial vision.
After immigrating to the United States, she channeled her decades of production expertise into building something lasting. In 2020, she co-founded the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture, registering it as a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian performing arts, literature, and cultural heritage in the Sacramento region.
Today, Rokhand serves as the creative and organizational director of Owrang — overseeing a growing team of designers, artists, and content creators who collaborate on the Institute’s visual identity, long-form video production, and podcast programming. From concept to execution, she guides each project — bringing together the right creative voices while ensuring that every piece of content reflects the artistic vision and cultural mission of Owrang.
All of this unfolds alongside a full-time professional career — driven not by obligation, but by a deep and enduring passion for Iranian arts and culture.
Role at Owrang Institute
Leadership
Founder & President
Founded and leads the Owrang Institute of Arts and Culture — a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian arts and cultural heritage in the Sacramento region.
Production Management
Production Manager
Oversees the full production process for all Owrang performances, events, and programs — from planning and logistics to technical execution.
Visual Direction
Poster & Promotional Design
Designs and oversees all promotional materials for Owrang productions, events, and publications.
Post Production
Video Editing & Documentation
Directs and produces all video content, trailers, and documentary footage of Owrang productions.
Podcast
Owrang Echo · پژواک اورنگ
Produces and manages the Owrang podcast — a collection of radio plays and short cultural programs available to the public.
Publication Design
Brochure & Print Design
Designs and produces all print materials including event brochures, programs, and institutional publications.
Earlier Career
Television
Senior Producer · IRIB
From assistant director to senior producer — a 14-year career in Iranian national television covering arts, culture, and documentary programming.
Media Production
Rokhand Film
Founder of Rokhand Film, one of Iran’s earliest home video production companies.
Publishing
Havāye Zamān Magazine
Publisher and editor-in-chief of Havāye Zamān, a Persian-language cultural magazine.
Journalism
Ashnā Magazine · 1991
Editorial member with a focus on arts and culture — the beginning of a lifelong dedication to cultural storytelling.