Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Director, Writer, Producer
Born in Iran in 1957. Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a filmmaker, novelist, screenwriter, editor, producer and human rights activist. Since his debut as a filmmaker in 1983 he has directed more than 20 feature films in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Turkey and several other countries. Winning over 50 awards at festivals world wide his films include "Gabbeh" (1996, Cannes Film Festival), "Kandahar" (2001) which was selected as one of the top 100 films of all time by TIME Magazine, and the acclaimed 2012 documentary "The Gardener".
In addition to filmmaking Makhmalbaf lived in Afghanistan for a period of two years, carrying out numerous human rights projects including building schools and working towards a renewal of the Afghan cinema, which had been totally destroyed during the Taliban regime. The Iranian government has levied a ban on Makhmalbaf's works and has threatened his safety over the years. Since leaving Iran in 2005 in protest against the pressure of censorship, Makhmalbaf is based in London and Paris.
Festival Attendance
Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Director, Writer, Producer
Born in Iran in 1957. Mohsen Makhmalbaf is a filmmaker, novelist, screenwriter, editor, producer and human rights activist. Since his debut as a filmmaker in 1983 he has directed more than 20 feature films in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Turkey and several other countries. Winning over 50 awards at festivals world wide his films include "Gabbeh" (1996, Cannes Film Festival), "Kandahar" (2001) which was selected as one of the top 100 films of all time by TIME Magazine, and the acclaimed 2012 documentary "The Gardener".
In addition to filmmaking Makhmalbaf lived in Afghanistan for a period of two years, carrying out numerous human rights projects including building schools and working towards a renewal of the Afghan cinema, which had been totally destroyed during the Taliban regime. The Iranian government has levied a ban on Makhmalbaf's works and has threatened his safety over the years. Since leaving Iran in 2005 in protest against the pressure of censorship, Makhmalbaf is based in London and Paris.
Festival Attendance
Stay in the loop!
Sign up to the newsletter and be the first to hear all the latest news and announcements.
Acknowledgment to Country
We acknowledge Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country the festival is based. We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Festival
Join & Support
About Us
Follow Us
In Partnership with
© Copyright 2025 | Persian Film Festival | All Rights Reserved