Babak Bobby Andishmand was born in Tehran and fled to Amsterdam as an infant along with his mother, where he embarked on a multifaceted journey through leadership, technology, media, and film.
With a foundation in IT, Bobby pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Rietveld International School of Art & Design, ultimately specializing in Audio Visual Arts. Alongside his studies, he earned a Master's in Persian Literature and Iranian History from Leiden University, combining analytical and technical insights that would later shape his career.
Bobby’s early career in New York offered him opportunities to merge his technological acumen with the creative demands of the film industry. He developed strategic initiatives aimed at drawing online engagement through the Life Extension Advocacy Foundation (LEAF), The Society of Motion Pictures & Television Engineers (SMPTE), and as procuder of the Take Two Film Festival, Bobby spearheaded the festival's transformation by embracing digital tools and footage ingestion workflows.
He introduced new technologies for streamlined production and distribution, fostering a culture of innovation at the festival's base, Jonas Mekas' Anthology Film Archives in Lower Manhattan. His work helped Take Two build partnerships with NYU Tisch, The School of Visual Arts, Queens College, and Columbia University, expanding the festival's reach and influence within both academic and professional circles.
Throughout his years in New York, Babak also dedicated himself to community initiatives, volunteering as a videography and editing instructor for underprivileged children at schools in Cannarsie, Brooklyn, and serving as an art mentor at high schools in East Harlem and Alphabet City, coaching aspiring pupils to apply to Art School.
Today, Babak applies his extensive experience in technology and media as a Regional Technology Manager overseeing Operations across the world, where he leads Studio Technology teams at Netflix.
Alongside his work at Netflix, Babak is a steady business school guest lecturer, where he teaches on leadership and operations. Drawing on his cross-industry experience, he helps students connect academic frameworks to the realities of running high-performing teams in global, technology-driven environments.