Jafar Panâhi is a renowned Iranian filmmaker, screenwriter, and editor. He is widely recognised for shaping modern Iranian cinema. He is known for his realistic, human-centred films that explore life in Iran. Despite being banned from filmmaking for years, he has continued to create internationally acclaimed movies. Let’s have a glance at Jafar Panahi’s profile.
Who is Jafar Panahi?
Jafar Panâhi has earned many prestigious awards at top international film festivals. He began his filmmaking journey by creating short films and later worked as an assistant to Abbas Kiarostami. His first feature film, The White Balloon (1995), won the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to receive that honour.
Jafar Panahi Age
Born on 11 July 1960, Jafar Panahi is currently 65 years old.
Jafar Panahi Early Life
Jafar Panahi was born in Mianeh, Iran, to a working-class Azerbaijani family. He grew up with six siblings, and his father worked as a house painter. At home they spoke Azerbaijani, while using Persian outside. Panahi began using an 8 mm camera at age ten, acted in one film, and helped teach children how to use cameras.
From age 12, he worked after school to afford movie tickets, and his difficult childhood later shaped the human themes in his films.
At 20, he joined the Iranian army and served as a cinematographer during the Iran–Iraq War from 1980 to 1982. In 1981, he was captured by Kurdish rebels and held for 76 days. His war experience became the subject of a documentary that aired on TV.
After military service, he studied filmmaking at the College of Cinema and TV in Tehran, where he admired directors like Hitchcock, Hawks, Buñuel, and Godard. He befriended filmmaker Parviz Shahbazi and cinematographer Farzad Jodat, who worked on his early films. During his studies, he made short documentaries and worked as an assistant director before graduating in 1988.
Jafar Panahi Wife
Jafar Panahi is married to Tahereh Saeedi. She has consistently spoken out for him and campaigned for his freedom during his arrests and confronted restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities.
Jafar Panahi Son
Panahi’s son, Panah Panahi, is also a filmmaker. His debut feature Hit the Road (2021) was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and received widespread critical praise.
Jafar Panahi Net Worth
There is no verified public information regarding Jafar Panahi’s net worth. Media reports and official records do not provide financial details, as coverage focuses mainly on his artistic legacy, international recognition, and ongoing legal battles with the Iranian government.
Jafar Panahi Palme d’Or
Panahi, who has often been at odds with the Iranian government, made his 2025 film without official approval. The film premiered at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2025, where it won the Palme d’Or, one of the highest honours in world cinema.
Jafar Panahi Movies
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It Was Just an Accident (2025) – Palme d’Or winner; a revenge-themed drama.
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No Bears (2022) – Shot secretly; winner of the Venice Special Jury Prize.
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3 Faces (2018) – A journey into rural Iran; won Best Screenplay at Cannes.
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Taxi (2015) – A documentary-style film inside a taxi; won the Berlin Golden Bear.
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Closed Curtain (2013) – Explores isolation and confinement.
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This Is Not a Film (2011) – Smuggled to Cannes on a flash drive hidden in a cake.
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Offside (2006) – Highlights gender barriers as girls try to enter a football match.
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Crimson Gold (2003) – A look at class inequality in Tehran.
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The Circle (2000) – Focuses on women’s struggles; won the Venice Golden Lion.
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The Mirror (1997) – Follows a young girl trying to find her way home.
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The White Balloon (1995) – His debut feature; Cannes Caméra d’Or winner.
Jafar Panahi Best Movies
Panahi’s most acclaimed films include The Circle, Taxi, 3 Faces, Crimson Gold, and It Was Just an Accident, each praised for powerful storytelling and social depth.
Jafar Panahi Awards & Achievement
Jafar Panahi is one of the most honoured filmmakers in Iranian cinema history. He has received numerous major awards, including:
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Palme d’Or at Cannes (2025) for It Was Just an Accident
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Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival (2015) for Taxi
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Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival (2000) for The Circle
These achievements make him only the fourth filmmaker in history after Henri-Georges Clouzot, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Robert Altman to win the top prizes at all three major film festivals.
In 2025, he was also honoured with the Telluride Film Festival Silver Medallion.
What is the last film of Jafar Panahi?
Is Jafar Panahi in Exile?
No. Jafar Panahi has never gone into exile. Despite arrests and travel bans, he has repeatedly said he will not leave Iran permanently because he cannot imagine living or making films anywhere else.
Is Jafar Panahi Earlier Arrested?
Yes. Panahi has faced multiple arrests, and many of his films have been banned. In 2010, he was detained and later sentenced to six years in prison, along with a 20-year ban on filmmaking and travel, after being accused of creating films critical of the government.
Also Read: Palme d’Or Winner Jafar Panahi Gets One-Year Prison Term & Travel Ban in Iran
Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is based on publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only.
