From successful innovations in financial technology to two feature films: Bardya Ziaian wants to do it all.
Bardya Ziaian is the current CEO and president of SITTU Group Inc., a think tank located in Toronto that specializes in creating opportunities by leveraging economic macro-environmental factors through consultations, system design, and investment.
Before joining SITTU in 2017, Bardya founded and served as CEO of Virtual Brokers and BBS Securities. During his tenure, BBS Securities was named “#1 Broker” by The Globe and Mail.
Bardya has held various leadership roles throughout his career, including CEO of Pario Technologies Corp., Director at NEO Exchange, Managing Director at Royal Capital Management Inc., and Project Manager and Senior Software Engineer at Belzberg Technologies Inc.
Despite having a colourful career in fintech and management, Bardya would make a big shift in his expertise and went on to produce his first feature film, “Super Dicks”, a cultural comedy that was produced during COVID-19. This year, he’s on track to complete his second feature film, “Golden Boy”, along with veteran director Damian Lee.
What inspired you to become a film producer?
Bardya Ziaian: I’ve loved telling stories ever since I was a kid, so film played into my natural passions and to strengths I developed while working in the fintech industry. Having a management background provided me with the skills to identify talent and allocate the right people and resources to make projects successful. So, when I decided to found my own production company, Bardya Pictures Ltd., I went into it not being a professional in the industry, but having knowledge that I could transfer to it. For the rest, I had to learn along the way.
Can you tell us about a project you produced that you’re particularly proud of, and what made it successful?
Bardya Ziaian: “Super Dicks” ended up being a successful project that I and my team are very proud of. It was a fun comedy that I felt, at the time, could provide a laugh for people during a very difficult time. We were producing the film during the height of the pandemic, and by doing so we were able to provide jobs for industry professionals who might otherwise have had work. The way we were able to come together and make it happen despite the circumstances made it so worthwhile. I’m also proud that I was able to expand my skill set into something more creative and develop a product that I feel very satisfied with.
What do you think distinguishes a great film producer from an average one?
Bardya Ziaian: I think a great film producer is someone who’s able to balance their creative vision with financial considerations. It means having strong communication skills, managing a team effectively, and adapting to unexpected challenges.
Can you describe a time when a film you produced faced unexpected challenges, and how you overcame them?
Bardya Ziaian: Having to work on “Super Dicks” with COVID-19 restrictions made it difficult for us to produce the film. There was a lot of uncertainty at the time that created a sort of desperation for the project to be successful. It wasn’t just me who was relying on the project’s success, but my team as well. It took a lot of collaboration to overcome these challenges, but we found creative ways to work with the circumstances we were given.
How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with directors, writers, or other members of the creative team?
Bardya Ziaian: As someone in a leadership position you have to be open to criticism and can’t have too much of an ego when it comes to having your vision challenged. Having said that, you also have to hold your team accountable and hold true to the vision you want to achieve. It’s a balancing act. You have to be willing to adjust based on the feedback of your team – especially if they’re more experienced than you are. But you also have to know when to hold firm on what you’re trying to create and make sure everyone is working as a cohesive team.
