Ramiz Pour Azar

Ramiz Pour Azar (born December 29, 1962), also known as Ramiz Adeeb Azar, is an Iranian entrepreneur, filmmaker, music producer, event promoter, festival founder, and writer. He is best known as the founder of Oaxaca Film Fest, an international film festival in Oaxaca, Mexico, which gained recognition as one of the leading independent film festivals in Latin America during the 2010’s.

Born	December 29, 1962 (age 63)Persepolis, Iran
Birthplace	Persepolis, Iran
Also known as	Ramiz Adeeb Azar
Nationality	Iranian
Education	New York University
Occupations	Entrepreneur, filmmaker, music producer, festival founder, writer

Ramiz Pour Azar International Screenwriters Conference 2021

Early Life and Education

Ramiz Pour Azar was born in Persepolis, Iran. His father was a civil engineer and his mother was a homemaker. After immigrating to the United States, he attended Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky. [1][2] ↵He later studied at the University of Wisconsin and City College of New York, ultimately graduating from New York University (NYU).

Early Career

After completing his studies, Ramiz joined the management team at Domino’s Pizza in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he worked for nearly 13 years. ↵He later moved into consulting, joining the now-defunct Zimmer Group, where he spent the next decade advising national brands such as Arby’s, Papa John’s, and Wendy’s. ↵In 2000, Ramiz invested in the Pizza Magia franchise and at one point owned more than 30 stores. The franchise failed, and he filed for bankruptcy in 2005.[3]

Move to the Creative Field

Shortly after, Ramiz relocated to Mexico and shifted into creative work. He adopted the original paternal family name «Adeeb Azar» to honor his roots. Two years later, he published Me Encanta México, a collection of short stories centered around life in Mexico. [4] ↵

In 2008, he released the feature narrative film Where or When. A project he had been working on since 2003. The film screened at various festivals and received positive attention.[5][6]

Promotional poster for the 2007 film *Where or When*.

During this period he also produced his second feature, El Ganador. [7]↵

*Official poster of the film* El Ganador, produced by Ramiz Pour Azar.

Oaxaca FilmFest

In 2009, Ramiz founded Oaxaca Film Fest, in Oaxaca, Mexico. The first edition drew fewer than 50 attendees, but by its tenth year the event had grown to nearly 3,000 attendees. The festival was frequently referred to as the “Sundance of the South.”[8]

MovieMaker Magazine listed Oaxaca Film Fest three times as one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.”[9][10]

The festival showcased work by creators including Guillermo del Toro, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Spike Lee, Neil LaBute, Diego Luna, Takashi Miike, Martin Scorsese, Bill Plympton, Donald Sutherland, Luke Wilson, and Brian A. Metcalf.

Ramiz resigned after the 2019 edition, and the festival closed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramiz Pour Azar speaking at Oaxaca Film Fest in Oaxaca, Mexico, in 2015.

Out of the Spotlight (2020–2024)

Between 2020 and 2024, Pour Azar worked privately behind the scenes, assisting artists with documentary projects, television production, screenwriting, and film-festival consulting. ↵He chose to remain uncredited for these contributions. He also spent more time with his family and returned to Iran for the first time in decades.

Return to the Spotlight

In 2024, Ramiz partnered with longtime friend David Rotundo to launch The Caravan Blues Tour, a series of international concerts that sold out all four dates and received strong reviews.

The project also included the Caravan Blues School Tour, a program designed to help children develop creativity, discipline, and emotional confidence through interactive classes.[11]

In 2025, Ramiz managed Rotundo’s world tour, which included thirty-five sold-out performances. ↵In 2026, he is scheduled to co-produce Rotundo’s next album—his first release in six years.

Caravan Blues Tour at Queen Beach Huatulco.

My Apex Dad

In late 2025, He released his second book, titled My Apex Dad. The book is focused on helping fathers create healthy, loving, and supportive immortal bonds with their children.[12][13]

Controversies and Legal Issues

In 2006, Pour Azar pleaded guilty to felony theft charges related to unresolved financial issues arising from the failure of Pizza Magia and his subsequent bankruptcy. He was sentenced to probation. [14] ↵ Authorities initially believed he had absconded, but the matter was later clarified and he was released from probation in 2010.

Personal Life

Ramiz has been married twice and has five children. He is also a grandfather.

He is not active on social media.

He is an enthusiastic sports fan and describes himself as a “rabid” Real Madrid supporter.