Jafar Panahi

Biography

Jafar Panahi (born in July 11, 1960) is a representative of Iranian “New Wave.” He is one of the leaders of contemporary Iranian cinema. Panahi’s work, from his first attempts to discuss social issues to his later and braver discussions of taboo topics in Iran are a creative reflection on the nature of cinema and human society, and are imbued with humanity. In 2010, the court in Iran sentenced Jafar Panahi to six years in prison. In addition, according to the sentence, Panahi was banned from making films for 20 years, giving interviews to local and international media outlets, and leaving Iran. Three Faces was his fourth film (after This Is Not a Film, Closed Curtain, and Taxi) shot after his arrest. The director did not attend the premiere due to being banned from leaving Iran. Panahi is a student of Abbas Kiarostami, whose influence is especially clear in Three Faces, reminiscent of such acclaimed masterpieces as The Wind Will Carry Us and Taste of Cherry.

Directed

1. It Was Just an Accident (2025) — Director
2. Taxi (2015) — Director
3. 3 Faces (2018) — Director
4. Offside (2006) — Director
5. No Bears (2022) — Director
6. The White Balloon (1995) — Director
7. This Is Not a Film (2011) — Director
8. The Circle (2000) — Director
9. Crimson Gold (2003) — Director
10. The Mirror (1997) — Director
11. Hidden (2020) — Director
12. Closed Curtain (2013) — Director
13. The Year of the Everlasting Storm (2021) — Director
14. The Accordion (2010) — Director
15. Celles qui chantent (2020) — Director
16. Life (2021) — Director
17. Yarali bashlar (1988) — Director
18. Akharin emtehan (1992) — Director
19. The Friend (1992) — Director
20. Persian Carpet (2007) — Director
21. Untying the Knot (2007) — Director
22. Where Are You, Jafar Panahi? (2026) — Director
23. The Second Look (1989) — Director

Also appeared in

1. The Daily Show (1996) — Self - Guest
2. Taxi (2015) — Self
3. Through the Olive Trees (1995) — Self
4. 3 Faces (2018) — Jafar Panahi
5. No Bears (2022) — Jafar Panahi
6. This Is Not a Film (2011) — Self
7. The Oscars (1953) — Self
8. Hidden (2020) — Self
9. Closed Curtain (2013) — Himself
10. Critic (2008) — Self
11. The Year of the Everlasting Storm (2021)
12. 76 Minutes and 15 seconds with Abbas Kiarostami (2016) — Himself
13. C à vous (2009) — Self - Guest
14. Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution (2006) — Himself
15. Life (2021) — Self
16. Journey to the Land of the Traveler (2004)
17. Nasrin (2020) — Self
18. Cinema Iran (2005) — Self
19. And, Towards Happy Alleys (2023) — Self
20. Jiseok (2022) — Self
21. Behind the Scenes of 'Under the Olive Trees' (1994) — Self
22. Where Are You, Jafar Panahi? (2026) — himself