Inspire Sonoma ftg Ali Afshar

Student Center, Ballroom A
Tue, Oct 20, 7:00 pm

Ali Afshar is a Northern California-raised (Petaluma) actor, professional race car driver, and prolific film producer. Best known as the founder of ESX Entertainment based in Petaluma, he has produced numerous hit holiday movies (such as Netflix's A California Christmas) and sports dramas inspired by his own life.

His career spans multiple industries, highlighting a journey from Sonoma County to Hollywood: [1]
Film and Television: He has acted in mainstream films like Godzilla and Three Kings, and voiced the Phantom Ranger in Power Rangers Turbo. As a producer, he is highly recognized for scaling up independent, modestly budgeted productions often shot locally in the Sonoma/Napa area. [1, 2, 3]
Racing: He is a championship drag racer who founded the world-record-holding team Easy Street Motorsports (ESX). [1, 2]
Real-Life Inspiration: Growing up in Petaluma, his personal background as a California state-finalist wrestler and drag racer directly inspired the ESX films American Wrestler: The Wizard and Born to Race.

Inspire Sonoma utilizes existing programs to invite featured speakers to advance CSU-aligned priorities through focused dialogue and connection. It aims to strengthen cross-sector partnerships at Sonoma State University, develop ethical and civic leadership, advance workforce readiness and economic mobility, and connect talent to opportunity, while reinforcing Sonoma State University and Sonoma County’s role within the CSU ecosystem as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and regional impact.  

For more information, contact mophillips@sonom.edu.