Empress Dr. Elham Madani, is a Royal Crown Empress & Film Director, Producer, lead actress who has been featured in over 1500 movies, and documentaries. She was born to American- Arabian father and Persian mother in Iran , As the only child of these physician couples when she lost her mother, ( Mentor) in the war between Iran and Iraq, she left Iran to continue her mother’s dream by higher education in the best schools. She earned her first degree in English literature and then master’s degree in linguistics from Iran University soon after she migrated to India to pursue her PhD in social linguistics. Shortly after, she was discovered by Hollywood producers, directors while she had acting classes, Soon after, she migrated to Canada and enrolled for Film production, direction in York University of Toronto After finishing it with A degree, she migrated to USA to get American experiences and continued her studies in Film production in Los Angeles
Her Majesty was always one of the best student in her class. She has been received appreciation as of her wide range of humanitarian, cultural and peaceful works with many royal houses, such as the White House of USA, The Royal House of Odua, the royal house of Baloi of the Philippines, being Royal International Queen to promote culture and peace, royal house of Morris of Tudor, also in good royal relation with Royal members of the UAE states.
Dr. Madani is founder of World Cinema Academy, NGO registered in USA., Mighty Vision Pictures, (Worldwide Film production), WIND International Film Festival, , Empress International Royal Awards, Empire of Madani, NGO in Canada to assist homeless and women in need of shelter , Her majesty has hosted over 10.000 low income guests ( free of charge ) and over 100 couples to marry under her sponsorship in her Empress Madani Palace in Canada.
Empress Madani’s expertise is been appreciated as one of event coordinators of many elite entertainment celebrations such as Oscars and Emmys. She is ranked as top 50 successful woman of the year in people magazine and featured in Fox news. Her majesty is epitome of beauty and she won the beauty title of American-Arab, Persia beauty and received highest titles, such as Queen of Persia, In many pageants. She was recognised as final winner of Miss Asia USA in field of her highest devotion to community and was appreciated for her inner beauty and purity beside her one-of-a-kind, exotic, breathtaking beauty in front of majorly recognised influencers.
In an exclusive interview with Adewale Adenrele of Dotolive News Magazine, Empress Dr. Elham Madani shares her journey to life after losing her parents in the war zone, her role to create pathways for young people in the movie industry, and how she founded World Cinema Academy and manages her other NGOs.
Below is an excerpt:
- Your Majesty have a good working relationship with Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, How has this been able to impact African people especially children, women and youths?
Well, first of all I thank Almighty God for the opportunity I had in my life during my university studies as I have studied in many universities and colleges worldwide, I was instructed that the most important fact in life is to put the theory into practice. So as a well-known filmmaker, I always need to discover and connect different parts of the worlds to each other and destiny got me to meet his majesty, Ooni of Ife. Therefore, as Empress of his dynasty I must make a new strong bridge between Nigeria especially Ife, this sacred city and modern cities through movies productions, education, empowerment, etc.
Also, through master workshops I have in mind and when king is ready and turns on the green light , then we can have these advanced workshops set up in Ife in cinema village that we discussed with each other years ago and start teaching and producing the majority of scenes in Nigeria, as well as shoot some parts in some other part of the world like a tour for our top academy students and youth to showcase them during international festivals and gatherings, plus giving them opportunities to meet real big names and be part of a big bang, as it means big box movies , shows,. Yes i am able to start many great wonders when king is ready.
- Your Majesty, you are the founder of W.I.N.D. International Film Festival. “WIND stands for Women Inspiration Nation Diversity, GTA (Global talent Awards), World Humanitarian Awards (WHA) Universal awards what are the vision and mission of these organisations?
Well that is a lot of questions in one question as each of them need to be explained nicely but in short, I can say I am founder of many royal or celebrity awards since I used to live in Hollywood , city of dreams come true and I always wanted to make others dreams comes true, plus they feel they are worthy , they are part of a united world, they are important to make greatest work, What I have not received in my life is what I wanted to give others, like a mother, if I suffered from many facts like war, separation from country, immigration, and racism due moving to different parts of the world, I wanted others not to suffer , so I made a big step and sacrificed a lot from creating to performing it for my dear talents, as I love them as spiritual children or families and we are all connected. Also, as Royal Queen and a professor, I had to train many youth or even grown up people to represent our peaceful ambassadors worldwide. I trained many others on my behalf and some of them now are president of big companies or have received awards by Ooni in his African royal leadership youth Awards 2024 and I am so happy about it.
So, as you can see, we are trying to unite many sectors peacefully and gratefully.
- Who influenced you and why do you choose empowering, providing shelters and mentoring young women and girls?
Because, as I said earlier, I am a child of God, and I feel God has designed this life As you walk to many new spots, you will find out new things about yourself, and it happens to me. I lost my mother, who was my first great mentor, of course, in the war, as she was a physician and the war zone needed her. So I was the only leftover child of a medical physician, with a father, mother in the front line. I had to be independent and strong. I had to tolerate many difficulties , such as a losing mother, home all I had in one second in a bomb…Can you imagine ??
As a very young child, I was crying, not knowing what was going on around me, and I had to stand out on my knees emotionally, financially , so during my youth I had a dream to build shelters for the poor, women, and youth. As a result of this experience, I taught them how to be strong and earn themselves with dignity. I lost my mother and I lost my youth. I was born spiritually again as a mature queen, and I transformed suddenly as a leader and pioneer, a mature mother, at my early age after that accident. I wanted to continue as if my mother were alive, so I became mature at a very young age and I want other women and youth not to suffer as I did
- What have been the most challenging and most rewarding aspects of leadership for you?
Most challenges can be many. For example, those who do not know my background and think I was raised in a luxurious atmosphere, eating gold for breakfast and I owe them. Or being a lady Empress, still people think I am a teenager and calling me Princess, as they want me to stay like their dream princess, perhaps.
Or stones being thrown my way always by evil people, of course… Generally speaking, women being leaders are going to have a harder road, as men have a tendency to not access lions as lions! I heard that many people were rescued mentally, financially and now they are following my footsteps and are working well for their life. I am an advisor to many leaders or productions but fair enough, my name will not be disclosed, as always, good things tempt me to go to those who open their mouth first. But I am fine, as God will know my handwork indeed.
- Your Majesty, you have worked with various international organizations; tell us your experiences, challenges and major responsibilities?
It is challenging as it takes a lot of time and attention, You need to know the goal of each organization and the history of each, and then members are also communicating, which means more responsibility, It takes sometimes, like, 18 hours to be on back of computer or phone to respond,, correct or guide, Usually, i am a jury member, advisor, or grand royal patron, As people know, it helps the organization grow faster and stronger, so I must be very careful what type of organizations they are in order not to be part of scams. It is why, these days I slow down to focus on hospitality, movie production and tourism.
- As a global citizen who represents the current generation of leaders bridging the gap between Africa and the Diaspora, how have you impacted your position on the populace in terms of youth empowerment and women’s inclusion, especially in the Movie industry?
By adding more women in my upcoming movies, training and mentoring them, including youth, and providing many unique characters in the movies for youth and women, I believe I can create a very nice harmony through my abilities. The movie industry mostly focusses on the wrong aspect of women as a sex factor. Honestly, I must tell the truth, but I as the Empress , would love to have great opportunities to be given the role of directing movies to embrace the dignity and self-esteem of women, as if we glorify these facts, we will have a stronger social and economic era, and these women as role models to society will be a sample of their next type of good wives. Less divorce, less hate, less breakdown, and poverty will be the fruits of these strong movies, you know!
- In the past 20 years, sub-Saharan Africa has achieved some of the most dramatic breakthroughs in the world. The number of female legislators on the continent has increased, would you consider yourself as a politician someday?
It might be happening, I am not planning to be but it is a possibility. We will see,
- Your Majesty, you have visited Africa many times, With your leadership role as Empress of Madani with vast experiences, can you tell us the needs in Africa, what will it take to build entrepreneurship and employment in Africa and what are you trying to do to move the needle?
What I observed in my short stays in Ife and Ghana was mainly those beautiful youth pupils looking at me in events and talking to me in heart about how Queen mother helped us get out of this poverty, and help us get a better life. Many texted our office , ( I do not answer the phone). ) by texting to my office those who had my number, there was a tendency for everyone to want to get out of Africa, I always told them I was not a government official who could get them a visa or job offer. But what I can do is add a way of creating a civilised center for them to enjoy what Hollywood, celebrity, and wealthy life can taste. I have a big dream and that is to make a city of fortune and light for them. If I had acreage lands and investors, i would create a cinema city, a Cinema centre, festival talent hub, Fashion designer centre, celebrity hub, to invite outstanding, well known people to be part of our African movie and festival productions. If only leaders and the ministry of Art and culture, as well as those home celebrities there, come together to be part of this project, I know it will happen soon.
- Dotolive News Magazine (DNM) would like to tour Madani’s palace in Surrey, Canada, promote events, and report on activities in the editions of the magazine, Will you consent and support it?
Of course. Welcome to the Empress Palace.
We want to franchise it and have it in some other parts of the world as well. I think the biggest one after Canada soon will be the U.A.E., and if I King of Ife, and Ooni collaborate more, the African headquarters can be in Cinema City as well.
- African ethnic groups and tribes have customs and traditions that are unique to their culture. What do you like about African Culture?
I love some of the singers, melodies, and dances. Some mysterious spiritual festivals are super powerful; to me, it is like a way of adding peace and unity and representing the strong ancestral roots to the world. They are beautiful. I must do my DNA test, who knows, maybe I am partially African, as I love this culture a lot. Actually, I recall that my mother used to have a very beautiful woman sculpture playing drums and I think it is engraved in my ancestral memory and I must have some connection with Africa, My ancestors immigrated to some part of Africa and for sure, I don’t see myself separated.
- Amazing memories are unforgettable; can you share with us most amazing memory?
The 1st time I was about to see the king, Ooni of Ife in person, not knowing when it would be, but I had a revelation and exactly the same day and year it happened. Both of us were frozen when we saw each other for the 1st time. He is my family and I am his. It was unforgettable.
- What advice would you give the younger ones?
Never ever quite, turn all no’s in your life to yes if you consistently work on your dream
Thank you.
