His is the story of a little boy who became fascinated by Star Wars, and grew up to be a filmmaker himself. His name was Omid, which means ‘HOPE’, and it happened one day, when he was four years old, that his mother took him to see Star Wars, and so began a life-long love of film. He asked to see that film again and again, and collected every piece of memorabilia possible. When he was a few years older he knew by heart and could recite the entire script.

As a ten year old, Omid experimented making his own movies, creating his own outer space backdrops by shining a light through pin-pricked black paper, and blowing up spaceships with WD40. Friends from school and the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre were enlisted to perform, and as the years went by the stories became more sophisticated and the equipment more professional. While studying at college, Omid wrote and directed his first feature-length film, A State of Mind, a political drama depicting the brainwashing of rebellious youth by a shady government agency.

The following year, Omid was awarded an arts grant from a local architectural firm, which he used to finance The Antipolitic, a metaphoric meditation on the clash of capitalist and socialist ideology. He shot the film in Hannover, under the guidance of his uncle Ebi, and the short reached the national final of the Panasonic Young Videomakers competition in 1992, screening at BAFTA.

While studying at Christ’s College School, Omid wrote his second feature-length film, Goldfish, a psychological thriller starring best friend Jason and depicting a troubled teenager’s descent into delusional psychosis. The film was awarded Best International Film, Best Youth Film, Best Sound, and Best Acting, at the IAC’s International Film Festival.

Eventually the time came to hone his skill at the University of Creative Arts in Farnham, where he met life-long friend and business partner Koen.

Omid and Koen’s first professional venture was to produce commercials for local businesses, including the Friary Food Court. Omid contacted the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre to cast some children for the commercial, and it was here he met dear friend Jules, and a little girl called Lucy, who was cast in the Friary commercial.

Television commercials followed, which helped to finance two short films, Rooftop and Panic, which were screened in several international festivals including The Edinburgh Film Festival and the Los Angeles Short Film Festival.

Outside his work, Omid had a big heart and a curious mind. He made friends wherever he went, including the various coffee shops he commandeered as his office. He became such a favourite at Bills, they had a name plaque made for his table.

Always ready to help his friends, in his twenties Omid began directing shows for the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre with Jules. It was during this time that Omid’s friendship with the little girl Lucy, now 18, blossomed into something more serious, and soon after the two became an item. For fourteen years Omid and Lucy shared their lives, adventures, secrets and successes. They travelled the world together, visiting the Pyramids, the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and The Great Wall of China to name a few. Lucy encouraged and helped Omid throughout his career, reading every draft of his scripts and often accompanying him on set.

In 2008 Omid’s script for Last Passenger, written with long time friend and writing partner Andy, was voted onto the Brit List of favourite British screenplays.

Characteristically inventive, Omid shot a fake ‘trailer’ for Last Passenger, which soon caught the attention of executives at Pinewood, and with their backing the wheels were put in motion for his biggest challenge yet. It seemed too good to be true, but as one hundred and fifty tonnes of real live train set swung gently into position inside the massive studio, Omid turned and said to his producers “This is really happening guys. Nothing can stop us now.” Two years later the film was released to a slew of positive reviews, and Omid was nominated Best Debut Director at the British Independent Film Awards.

Soon after, Omid proposed to Lucy on a bridge in the gardens of Pinewood Studios, and the pair were married there a year later. Omid often described it as the best day of his life. In February last year their darling daughter Ava was born. Omid called her his muse, and his love for her was evident in the many beautiful photographs he took of her.

Film-maker, friend, colleague, son, brother, husband and father. He will be sorely missed.