Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour Information

Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour Ali, born on December 24, 1963, in Tehran, is a prominent Iranian film director, screenwriter, producer, and cultural manager. He holds a degree in cinema from IRIB University (University of Broadcasting) and began his artistic career in 1987 by directing short films.

Throughout his four-decade-long career, he has held numerous influential positions in Iran’s film, television, and cultural institutions, becoming one of the most respected figures in Iranian cinema.

Executive and Managerial Positions

• Managing Director of the Iranian House of Artists
• Chairman and Managing Director of the Iranian House of Cinema
• Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Music Museum
• Artistic Deputy of the Tehran Municipality’s Cultural and Artistic Organization
• Managing Director of the Farabi Cinema Foundation
• Deputy Director of Channel 2 of IRIB
• Head of the Children and Youth Department of Channel 2
• Deputy of the War Unit at Farabi Cinema Foundation
• Member of the Cultural Section at Farabi Cinema Foundation since its inception
• Vice President of FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) in the Asia region (since 2010)
• Secretary-General of the Iranian VOD Association, formed during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Lecturer in film directing at the University of IRIB

Festival Leadership and Jury Roles

• Secretary of the 1st International Monotheistic Religions Poster Award
• Secretary of the 1st Tehran International Sculpture Symposium
• Secretary of the 9th Grand Celebration of Iranian Cinema
• Director of the 20th and 21st editions of the Fajr International Film Festival
• Director of the 17th and 18th editions of the Isfahan Children and Youth Film Festival
• Director of the Caspian Sea International Film Festival in Mazandaran
• Jury member at international festivals including:
  • Golden Apricot International Film Festival (Yerevan, Armenia)
  • Kitzbühel Film Festival (Austria)
  • Tehran International Short Film Festival
  • Bahar National Film Festival
  • 38th Fajr Film Festival

Filmography (as Director)

• We Have a Guest (2013)
• Seven Minutes and Five (2008)
• Eqlima (2006)
• The Sanctum (Ghadamgah) (2003)
• The Ultimate Flight (1989)

TV Series (as Director)

• Do Not Leave Me (2018)
• Warm Breath (2015)
• Sheydaei (2011)
• Jarahat (2010)
• The Bus (2009)
• Southern Flowers (2008)
• Ruhollah (1995)
• Peak Point (1992)

As Screenwriter

• We Have a Guest (2013)
• Eqlima (2006)
• The Ultimate Flight (1989)

As Producer

• Maajan (2016)
• Born in 1985 (2015)
• The Ultimate Flight (1989)

Awards and Recognitions

• Nominee, Crystal Simorgh for Best Director (The Sanctum), 22nd Fajr Film Festival (2004)
• Nominee, Crystal Simorgh for Best First or Second Feature Film (The Sanctum)
• Winner, Crystal Simorgh for Best Art & Experience Film (The Sanctum)
• Winner, Crystal Simorgh for Best Second Feature (The Sanctum)
• Nominee, Crystal Simorgh for Best Director (Eqlima), 25th Fajr Film Festival (2006)
• Nominee, Crystal Simorgh for Best Director (We Have a Guest), 32nd Fajr Film Festival (2013)
• Winner, Best Asian Film, Fajr International Film Festival (2013)

Notable Contribution

One of Asgarpour’s most significant achievements was serving as the director of the 20th and 21st editions of the Fajr International Film Festival. Under his leadership, the festival achieved Category A status, placing it among the world’s leading cultural and cinematic events.