Having specialized in creating campaigns for international films, we work very closely with emerging filmmakers. These campaigns encompass close collaboration with their local production companies and national film institutes to determine their unique stories and narratives. Understanding a filmmaker and their vision is key and requires knowledge of cultural nuances as well as being able to communicate in a way that translates across borders and language barriers.
Sara Vahabi is an LA based international film publicist and Awards Strategist with over 20 years of experience within special events, red carpets and public relations with extensive experience both in Europe and the US.
In 2010 she was hired by the PR firm KAREN FRIED & ASSOCIATES (KFA) and was part of the core publicity team garnering over 40 Oscar Nominations and another 25 wins for such films as THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, THE DANISH GIRL, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, LOVING etc. In 2014 she was promoted to Vice President of the company working with Focus Features and Annapurna as their key clients. Concurrently, Sara brought her European contacts into the fold, spearheading KFA’s international and short film awards campaigns for such films as HELIUM/Denmark, A MAN CALLED OVE/Sweden, MUSTANG/France, TIMBUKTU/Mauritania, THE INSULT/Lebanon and many more.
In 2018 Sara launched PHASE 2 PUBLIC RELATIONS with NETFLIX as its premiere client, working on their entire international and domestic film slate. Her campaigns have included TRAIN DREAMS, FRANKENSTEIN, LEFT-HANDED GIRL/Taiwan, SOCIETY OF THE SNOW/Spain, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT/Germany, THE HAND OF GOD/Italy, PRAYERS FOR THE STOLEN/Mexico, GIRL/Belgium and ROMA/Mexico, culminating in numerous Oscar wins. P2PR also expanded their client roster with the addition of Swedish powerhouse production company B-REEL FILMS (MIDSOMMAR, HELLBOY, KUNG FURY 2), German based animation sales agency Sola Media, as well as the ACLU of Southern California. P2PR also worked on the awards campaigns for the international film submissions AND THEN WE DANCED/Sweden and BEANPOLE/Russia as well as the Emmy campaigns for HBO’s acclaimed show EUPHORIA and FX's LOVE STORY. Sara was born in Sweden, raised in Germany and received her degree in International Relations from Tufts University in Boston. She is fluent in Swedish, Farsi, German, English and conversational French.
Cory began his publicity career volunteering as a junior publicist for Dances with Films LA (DWF LA). It was while working with DWF LA his passion for independent film was really ignited, which has led to over 8 years of publicity experience. His experience includes festival premiere campaigns for festivals across the world including, Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, Berlinale, TIFF, Tribeca, OUTFest LA, Mill Valley Film Festival, and of course Dances with Films LA.
All of this experience has led him into the path of Sara Vahabi, whose passion for independent film combined perfectly with his own, where he's led campaigns for indie films across festival premieres, DVD/VOD releases, awards campaigns, and events.