Born in Minaeh, Iran, in 1960. He studied film and TV directing in Tehran. He was Abbas Kiarostami’s assistant director in Under the Olive Trees, winner of the Critic’s Prize at the 18th Mostra). The White Balloon (1995, 19th Mostra), his first feature film as a director, was awarded with the Golden Camera at the Cannes Film Festival. He has also directed titles such as The Mirror (1997, 22nd Mostra, in which he was also member of the International Jury), The Circle (2000, 24th Mostra), winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Crimson Gold (2003, 28th Mostra), winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. In 2010, he was convicted to six years in prison and was forbidden to film or leave Iran for two decades under the accusation of doing advertising against Iranian government. One year later, Panahi directed This Is Not a Film, shown at the 35th Mostra and awarded with the Silver Bear for best screenplay at the Berlinale. He also signed the direction of Closed Curtain (2013, 37th Mostra), Taxi Tehran (2015), best film at Berlinale and 3 Faces (2018). The filmmaker was honored with Humanity Award at 42nd Mostra, in 2018.
