A 16mm camera served as the instrument for Reza Mirkarimi’s directorial debut in 1987 with the short film For Him. Based in Tehran, the Iranian screenwriter and director maintains a career spanning over three decades, having expanded his professional portfolio to include film production, editing, and the management of major national cinematic institutions.
Early Career and Education
Mirkarimi completed his formal education in graphic arts at the College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran. His initial practical experience began in 1987, during which he produced several short films, including A Rainy Day and Rooster. Throughout the mid-1990s, he transitioned into television, directing series such as The Tales of Aftaab and Lady Aziz and Hemmat School Kids, both targeted at younger audiences.
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His first feature, The Child and the Soldier, arrived in 1999 and secured international recognition, including the Golden Butterfly in Iran and the Montgolfiere d'Argent in France. This success was followed by Under the Moonlight, a 2000 film exploring social and religious themes that garnered the Best Feature Award at the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics' Week. His directorial range continued to evolve with As Simple as That in 2007 and Daughter in 2016, both of which received the Golden George Award for Best Picture at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Industry Leadership and Production
Beyond his directorial output, Mirkarimi has influenced the Iranian film landscape through administrative and supportive roles. He served as the managing director of the Iranian Alliance of Motion Picture Guilds, known as Khane-ye Cinema. From 2016 to 2019, he acted as the director of the Fajr International Film Festival. As a producer, he has facilitated the work of other Iranian filmmakers by backing projects such as Don't be Tired and Voice of Silence.
International Recognition
The global festival circuit has frequently highlighted his work, notably the 2019 film Castle of Dreams, which earned him awards for best picture and best director at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Three of his projects—So Close, So Far, A Cube of Sugar, and Today—were submitted by Iran as candidates for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. He has also presided over multiple international juries, including the 39th Moscow International Film Festival and the Kim Jiseok Award at the 2021 Busan International Film Festival.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966, Tehran, Iran
- Education: College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
- Primary Occupations: Director, screenwriter, producer, editor
- Notable Works: Under the Moonlight, A Cube of Sugar, As Simple as That
- Religion: Shia Islam
- Languages: Persian
- Festival Leadership: Director, Fajr International Film Festival (2016-2019)
Questions readers ask
Which international awards has Mirkarimi received for his directing?
He has won the Golden George at the Moscow International Film Festival and the Golden Goblet at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Has he participated in international film festival juries?
Yes, he has served on juries in Estonia, Japan, Tunisia, Colombia, Armenia, and Russia, where he was jury president.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Child and the Soldier
- Notable work: Under the Moonlight
- Notable work: Here, a Shining Light
- Notable work: So Close, So Far
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and film producer
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