KAYVON DERAK SHANIAN
AKA- KEVIN DEREK

Kayvon is an award-winning filmmaker who has extensive experience in the entertainment industry as a producer, director and editor. He has studied under the tutelage of some of the best in the business beginning at Columbia College in Hollywood, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Motion Pictures. 

At just 20, he produced his first dramatic feature, The Final Incident, that ran for two weeks at the Laemmle Santa Monica Theatre. Film critic Emanuel Levy from The Village Voice called it “emotionally gripping” and “truly frightening.” His second credit as a Producer was The Ultimate Game, a Martial Arts action-adventure film, produced for the video market, sold worldwide. 

Kayvon also produced and directed the documentary Empty Hand about four competitors who train to fight against their toughest rivals as they struggle to become the next National Karate Kid Champion; it premiered at DOC NYC.

His film The Real Miyagi, winner of 7 international film awards, starring Steven Seagal, Dolph Lundgren, Micheal Jai White, depicts the life of the greatest karate master of our generation. Acquired by NETFLIX worldwide 2015-2022 

​

In 2018 Make America Laugh Again, opened theatrically in New York and Los Angeles with favorable reviews, also winning the Audience Award at CINEQUEST. Make America Laugh Again also qualified for the 91st Academy Awards in 2019.

In 2021, Kayvon revisits Mr. Miyagi, this time with a documentary about the prolific actor behind the character, Pat Morita, with More Than Miyagi: The Pat Morita Story.  Starring  Ralph Macchio, Tommy Chong and Henry Winkler. Available worldwide on all VOD Platforms.

​

In 2022 he produced “Pepe Serna: Life is Art” About a Mexican-American character actor Pepe Serna That’s starred in over 250 films who has paved the way for generations of Chicanx actors in Hollywood. Starring Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria and  Cheech Marin. The film premiered at he Palm Springs international Film Festival and Austin Film Festival.

​

Personally, Kayvon has dedicated his life to the art of Karate and holds a Black Belt in three deferent styles.  Japanese Shoto Kan, Shito Ryu and American Kick Boxing 

The two-time TELLY Award winner is the Festival Director / Founder for the Irvine International Film Festival. Last year 11 of the festival’s Official Selections were shortlisted for Academy Awards, with nine Oscar nominations between them. Seven-time Emmy winning actor Ed Asner (Up, The Mary Tyler Moore Show), Academy Award-winning director John G. Avildsen (Rocky), Oscar-Nominated Director Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond). Oscar-Winning Actor Martin Landau ( Ed Wood) all of whom received Lifetime Achievement Awards at IIFF. 

​