STEVEN NIA
Chairman
Wardour Studios

Dr. Steven Nia is a true visionary and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and technology industries. Originally as an entertainment and technology attorney, and then as the Chairman and Founder of Wardour Studios, Mr. Nia commands a wide range of business, creative and strategic resources, resulting in expert leadership. Though his vision and strategy, Mr. Nia has brought Wardour Studios www.WardourStudio.com into a leading global entertainment company with a fast growing and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, streaming platform and international distribution and sales.

Simultaneously, Mr. Nia serves as the Chairman of World Film Institute (WFI), a nonprofit organization supporting the advancement and recognition of the arts and the motion picture industry worldwide. WFI offers a vast resource of services, including film studies, scholarships, motion picture industry seminars, advanced technological support, networking opportunities as well as exclusive entertainment and fashion industry events.

Mr. Nia also is the founder and Chairman of the first decentralized entertainment streaming platform, W1 Platform - The Hollywood Blockchain, www.W1Platform.org where he led the team to create a highly advanced decentralized entertainment ecosystem for film finance, production and distribution, based on blockchain technology, and built on the Smart Web 3.0 infrastructure.

Prior to founding Wardour Studios, Mr. Nia championed the interests of the large studios and independent producers and is an advocate of the film industry, and its impact on global culture and understanding. Mr. Nia’s skills in business and technology, and his enthusiasm for Hollywood’s creativity and stars, have empowered Mr. Nia to manage and grow with changes, at a time when AI, the new Internet technologies such as web 3.0/4.0 and social media are transforming the entertainment industry. Mr. Nia’s expertise and experience in the entertainment industry dates back to 20 years. Originally, as an entertainment attorney, addressing various production and distribution agreements, as well as various aspects of IP protection.

Mr. Nia co-founded Hollywood Stars Oscars Viewing Gala, www.StarsGala.com where among other things, women in the entertainment industry have been celebrated since the inception of the Gala. The Gala has also recognized the Ronald McDonald House Charities, for its invaluable caring and love for children. Wardour Studios has also co-organized the accredited Wardour Studios Film Academy, in China, to foster and build a strong bond between the people and entertainment industries in the USA and China.

Mr. Nia is the honorary dean at Wardour Studios Academy - Haikou University, which offers bachelor’s and associate degrees in Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy is accredited by the Ministry of Education of China. Additionally, Mr. Nia has contributed extensive expertise to various productions and projects within the entertainment industry, including film finance and distribution, as well as creation and development of pioneering projects such as Cyber Challenge (aired on NBC and PBS), as well as events such as the Olympia Awards (in Development), and previously aired Family Film Awards (aired on CBS and Prime Star).

Mr. Nia is a frequent speaker in national and global conferences,on a variety of topics relating to entertainment, and the impact of AI and other emerging technologies on entertainment. Some such engagements include the American Film Market (AFM - the largest film market in the world), AI in entertainment, Blockchain impact on entertainment, as well as other professional forums, such as Sasin Forum, Peace Federation, Bermuda Entertainment & Blockchain Forum, etc.

Mr. Nia’s winning strategy is to strive for, and achieve, optimized exploitation of entertainment values, while delivering artistic and cultural excellence, with the aim that such attributes will ultimately empower positive transformation and will excel and uplift the next generations, breaking down cultural barriers and creating global harmony through motion pictures, arts,
innovations, and emerging technologies. Mr. Nia received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Western State University, California, and served as a member of the California State Bar until he fully engaged in business and entrepreneurship.

Mr. Nia studied Film Finance, Production and Distribution, and Entertainment Intellectual Property rights and protection, at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) extension. Mr. Nia received his Master’s Degree in Computers (MSCE), from the prestigious University of Michigan, and received his Bachelor’s Degree (BSEE), from Lawrence Technology University, Michigan.