Iranian Cinema — A Century of Light and Shadow

IRANIAN CINEMA

From flickering silent reels in Tehran's first theaters to Palme d'Or winners and Oscar gold — a century-long love affair between a nation and the moving image.

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An Introduction to Iranian Cinema

A cinema born of poetry, shaped by revolution, and celebrated on the world's greatest stages — explore its story below.

Iranian cinema overview

Comprehensive Overview

A general introduction to the art, industry, and soul of Persian film.

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Early Iranian cinema

The Silent Beginnings

The royal court, the first cameras, and Tehran's earliest theaters.

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Iranian New Wave cinema

The Iranian New Wave

Poetic realism and the birth of a distinctly Persian cinematic language.

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Cinema after the revolution

Cinema After 1979

Reinvention under new codes, censorship, and creative resilience.

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Women in Iranian cinema

Women Behind the Lens

Pioneering directors who redefined Iranian storytelling.

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Interactive Timeline of Iranian Cinema

Click on any era below to uncover a century of Iranian filmmaking.

1900–1930

Silent Origins

1930–1953

The Studio Era

1953–1969

FilmFarsi Boom

1969–1979

The New Wave

1980–1997

Rebirth & Recognition

1997–Today

Global Golden Age

Auteurs Who Shaped a Nation's Screen

The visionary directors whose films carried Iranian storytelling to the world's greatest festivals.

Abbas Kiarostami style filmmaking

Abbas Kiarostami

The poet-philosopher of Iranian cinema and Palme d'Or winner.

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Asghar Farhadi cinema

Asghar Farhadi

Two-time Academy Award winner for masterful moral dramas.

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Jafar Panahi cinema

Jafar Panahi

A defiant voice filming under restriction, celebrated worldwide.

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Makhmalbaf family cinema

The Makhmalbaf Family

A dynasty of filmmakers spanning generations and genres.

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Discover Iranian Cinema Today

Festivals, animation, iconic films, and the industry's place on the global stage.

Film festivals

Film Festivals

From Fajr in Tehran to Cannes, Venice, and Berlin red carpets.

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Iranian animation

Animation & Shorts

A quietly thriving world of animated and short-form storytelling.

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Iconic Iranian films

Iconic Films

The Cow, Close-Up, Children of Heaven, A Separation, and more.

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Contemporary Iranian cinema

Cinema Today

A new generation of filmmakers navigating art, exile, and streaming.

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Bring an Iranian Cinema Story to Life

Whether you are curating a festival programme, licensing a Persian classic, or producing your next feature — our team is one call or one message away, ready to guide your project from script to screen.

Available for international inquiries, film licensing, distribution, and consulting — reply guaranteed within one business day.