A Nokia camera phone served as the primary production tool for the 2009 documentary Tehran Without Permission, capturing an unfiltered look at life in Iran’s capital amidst international sanctions and civil unrest. This approach defined the work of Sepideh Farsi, an Iranian artist, screenwriter, and director whose career has consistently navigated the intersection of political activism and visual storytelling.
Early Activism and Transition to Film
Born in 1965 in Tehran, Farsi grew up in a politically active, left-wing family. Her involvement in activism began early, leading to an eight-month imprisonment in 1981 after sheltering a student during the Iran Massacres. Following her release, she completed her secondary education at home and departed Iran in 1984. She relocated to Paris to pursue mathematics but soon pivoted toward visual arts, experimenting with photography before producing her first short films.
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Farsi has been unable to return to Iran since 2009, as the regime has banned all her films due to their critical perspective on Iranian society. Her 2009 documentary, Tehran Without Permission, utilized clandestine filming methods to depict the city’s residents, including rappers, hairdressers, and youth navigating societal challenges. She continues to advocate against the Iranian government, notably joining 800 Hollywood professionals in 2026 to condemn the regime’s response to civilian protests.
Animated Features and Remote Storytelling
In February 2023, Farsi expanded into animation with The Siren, which depicts the 1980 outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war in Abadan. The film premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival and earned the Best Animated Film award at the 16th Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Her 2025 project, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, documents the Gaza conflict through remotely filmed footage captured by photojournalist Fatima Hassouna. The production process involved coordinating through video calls, concluding tragically when Hassouna was killed in an airstrike in April 2025.
Roles and Recognition
Beyond her directing credits, Farsi has performed in front of the camera, including a role in her 2002 film The Journey of Maryam, and has served as a juror at various international events, such as the 2009 Locarno International Film Festival and the 2024 International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights. Her early work, Homi D. Sethna, Filmmaker, received the FIPRESCI Prize and honors at Cinéma du Réel and Traces de Vie.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Tehran, Iran
- Primary Residence: Paris and Athens
- Languages: Persian, English, French, German, Greek
- First Animated Feature: The Siren (2023)
- Notable Documentary: Tehran Without Permission (2009)
- Occupations: Director, screenwriter, photographer, activist
- Status: Living in exile from Iran since 2009
Questions readers ask
Why does Sepideh Farsi film with mobile phones?
She utilized a Nokia camera phone for her 2009 documentary to bypass government restrictions on filming within Iran.
Can Sepideh Farsi return to Iran?
No, she has been unable to return to the country since 2009 due to her activism and the banning of her film works by the Iranian regime.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, screenwriter and activist
