Payam Parsafar is an Iranian film producer, director, and screenwriter. Born in Tehran, Iran in 1974, Payam was introduced to the world of cinema and television at a young age. He spent his childhood and teenage years watching and learning from the works of renowned Iranian directors such as Abbas Kiarostami.
Payam studied filmmaking at the University of Tehran and earned his Master's degree in Dramatic Arts. He began his career by producing and directing short films, which were highly acclaimed in international film festivals. His first feature film, “A Red Rose” (1994), won the Best Director Award at the Tehran International Film Festival and was featured at the Berlin International Film Festival.
In 2001, Payam wrote, produced, and directed his second feature film, “The Land of the Sun”, which received the Grand Prix at the Cinema du Reel in France. This film also received the Best Feature Film Award at the Tehran International Film Festival.
Payam’s third feature film, “The Red Garden” (2007), won him the Best Director Award at the Tehran International Film Festival as well as the Best Feature Film Award at the Cinema du Reel in France. This film was also screened in Cannes, Toronto, and New York.
In 2011, Payam wrote, produced, and directed his most successful film, “The Tehran Connection”. This film won the Best Feature Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and was the first Iranian film to be selected for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Since then, Payam has produced and directed several other films, including “The Sun of the Sleepless” (2012) and “The Track” (2015).
Payam Parsafar is a talented and renowned filmmaker who is known for his unique approach to storytelling and his ability to create gripping and emotionally charged films. He has established himself as a major voice in Iranian cinema and his films have been praised by critics and audiences alike.