Babak Andishmand was born in Tehran and fled to Amsterdam at a young age, where he embarked on a multifaceted journey through technology, media, and film.

With a foundation in IT, Babak pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Rietveld International School of Art & Design, ultimately specializing in Audio Visual Arts. Alongside his studies, he earned a Master’s in Persian Literature and Iranian History from Leiden University, combining analytical and technical insights that would later shape his career.

Babak’s early career in New York offered him opportunities to merge his technological acumen with the creative demands of the film industry. As a Digital Growth Manager at the United Nations, he developed strategic initiatives aimed at drawing online engagement, which solidified his passion for leveraging technology in impactful ways. During this time, he also joined the board of academic reviewers at The Society of Motion Pictures & Television Engineers (SMPTE), contributing his expertise on emerging technologies and standards in media.

In his role as Executive Producer of the Take Two Film Festival, Babak spearheaded the festival’s transformation by embracing digital tools and footage ingestions workflows. He introduced new technologies for streamlined production and distribution, fostering a culture of innovation at the festival’s base, Jonas Mekas’ Anthology Film Archives in Lower Manhattan. His work helped Take Two build partnerships with NYU Tisch, SVA, Queens College, and Columbia University, expanding the festival’s reach and influence within both academic and professional circles.

Throughout his years in New York, Babak also dedicated himself to community initiatives, volunteering as a videography and editing instructor for underprivileged high school students in Brooklyn and serving as an art mentor at high schools in East Harlem and Alphabet City coaching aspiring pupils to apply to Art School.

Today, Babak applies his extensive experience in technology and media as a IT Manager at Netflix, where he oversees Studio Technology operations across the EMEA region. His team focuses on supporting (B&B) proprietary software used across Netflix’s production and post-production workflows, ensuring that the latest advancements in digital tools are seamlessly integrated to drive operational excellence. Babak collaborates closely with global leaders to align on strategic goals, continuously improving efficiency through data analysis, user feedback, and innovative problem-solving.