Famous Iranian Filmmakers and Directors
Explore the works of the best Iranian directors and filmmakers who have shaped the global film industry. These Persian directors have gained international acclaim for their storytelling and cinematic artistry. Their films capture the essence of Iranian culture, history, and social narratives, resonating with audiences worldwide. From thought-provoking dramas to visually stunning masterpieces, these Persian filmmakers continue to leave a lasting impact on global cinema.
Abbas Kiarostami
Most famous movie directed by: Taste of Cherry (1997)
Awards: Palme d'Or, Cannes Film Festival
Age: Born June 22, 1940 – Died July 4, 2016
Movies directed: Where Is the Friend’s House?, Certified Copy, Close-Up
Jafar Panahi
Most famous movie directed by: The Circle (2000)
Awards: Golden Lion, Venice Film Festival
Age: Born July 11, 1960
Movies directed: Offside, Taxi, This Is Not a Film
Asghar Farhadi
Most famous movie directed by: A Separation (2011)
Awards: Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Age: Born May 7, 1972
Movies directed: The Salesman, About Elly, The Past
Samira Makhmalbaf
Most famous movie directed by: The Apple (1998)
Awards: Jury Prize, Cannes Film Festival
Age: Born February 15, 1980
Movies directed: Blackboards, At Five in the Afternoon, Two-Legged Horse
Nasser Taghvai
Most famous movie directed by: Captain Khorshid (1987)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born July 1, 1941
Movies directed: Tranquility in the Presence of Others, That Man Came, The Cyclist
Bahman Ghobadi
Most famous movie directed by: A Time for Drunken Horses (2000)
Awards: Golden Camera, Cannes Film Festival
Age: Born February 1, 1969
Movies directed: Turtles Can Fly, No One Knows About Persian Cats, Rhino Season
Kamal Tabrizi
​Most famous movie directed by: Leily Is with Me (1996)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born October 28, 1955
Movies directed: The Lizard, Marmoulak, Wind, Ten Years Old
Mohammad Rasoulof
Most famous movie directed by: There Is No Evil (2020)
Awards: Golden Bear, Berlin International Film Festival
Age: Born November 16, 1972
Movies directed: Manuscripts Don’t Burn, The White Meadows, Goodbye
Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Most famous movie directed by: Kandahar (2001)
Awards: Federico Fellini Medal, UNESCO
Age: Born May 29, 1957
Movies directed: The Cyclist, Gabbeh, The Silence
Dariush Mehrijoei
Most famous movie directed by: The Cow (1969)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born December 8, 1939
Movies directed: Hamoun, Santouri, The Lady
Masoud Kimiaei
Most famous movie directed by: Qeysar (1969)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born August 29, 1941
Movies directed: The Deer, Journey of the Stone, Gavaznha
Majid Majidi
Most famous movie directed by: Children of Heaven (1997)
Awards: Grand Prix, Montreal World Film Festival
Age: Born April 17, 1959
Movies directed: The Color of Paradise, Baran, Muhammad: The Messenger of God
Ali Hatami
Most famous movie directed by: Kamalolmolk (1984)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born August 19, 1944 – Died December 7, 1996
Movies directed: Hezar Dastan, Soltan Saheb Gharan, Hajji Washington
Rakhshan Bani Etemad
Most famous movie directed by: The Blue-Veiled (1995)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born April 3, 1954
Movies directed: Under the Skin of the City, Our Times, Mainline
Marzieh Boroomand
Most famous movie directed by: The School of Mice (1986)
Awards: Crystal Simorgh, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born June 7, 1951
Movies directed: The City of Mice, Mother, The General’s Battle
Tahmineh Milani
Most famous movie directed by: The Hidden Half (2001)
Awards: Best Director, Fajr Film Festival
Age: Born September 7, 1960
Movies directed: Ceasefire, Two Women, Unwanted Woman
Parviz Sayyad
Most popular movie: Samad Becomes a Rebellious Leader (1979)
Awards: Best Director at the Fajr International Film Festival (1993)
Age: Born March 20, 1939
