May 12 is The Women in Mathematics Day, in honour of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman and first Iranian to be awarded the Fields Medal before her death at the age of 40. Join the screening of Secrets of the Surface, the Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani, on Tuesday, May 12 at 3:00pm PDT at www.birs.ca/live to celebrate her life, her mathematical work, and her impact on future generations.

Thanks to Zala Films and womeninmaths.org for granting BIRS permission.

Filmed in Canada, Iran, and the United States, Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani examines the life and mathematical work of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian immigrant to the United States who became a superstar in her field. In 2014, she was both the first woman and the first Iranian to be honored by mathematics’ highest prize, the Fields Medal.

Mirzakhani’s contributions are explained in the film by leading mathematicians and illustrated by animated sequences. Her mathematical colleagues from around the world, as well as former teachers, classmates, and students in Iran today, convey the deep impact of her achievements. The path of her education, success on Iran’s Math Olympiad team, and her brilliant work, make Mirzakhani an ideal role model for girls looking toward careers in science and mathematics.
(Source: http://www.zalafilms.com/secrets/#about)