BIO

M. Dara Alavi  ( AL-uh-VEE )

is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, editor, and animator. He wrote and directed the shorts ZERO DOWN (2023) and BAD TOOTH (2026), a body horror about a struggling gig worker and the toothache that turns on him. After its world premiere at LA Shorts International Film Festival, BAD TOOTH played in competition at Sitges and continues to play festivals around the world, including Fantafestival, Another Hole in the Head, Toronto After Dark and more. 

Alavi began as an animator and later moved into special effects production at Legacy Effects, on projects including The Mandalorian, before going on to serve VFX and design production at The Mill and Imaginary Forces. He has interviewed legendary "King of the Bs" director Roger Corman and recently contributed a 2D animation sequence to Kevin McTurk’s award-winning puppet film GRÝLU SKER. 

His work has been featured in Fangoria and on Disney+.  A hands-on, build-it-yourself philosophy runs through every project he directs. Alavi is currently developing his feature script for BAD TOOTH.