Samira Makhmalbaf
Actor
About Samira Makhmalbaf
Samira Makhmalbaf is an Iranian film director and screenwriter who emerged as a prominent figure in world cinema in the late 1990s. Born into a family of filmmakers, she began her career at an exceptionally young age, making her first documentary at 15 and her first feature film at 17. Her debut feature 'The Apple' (1998) made her the youngest director ever to have a film in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Throughout her career, Makhmalbaf has focused on social issues, particularly the plight of women and children in Iran and Afghanistan, using a poetic and humanistic approach to storytelling. Her films have garnered international acclaim at major festivals including Cannes, Venice, and Locarno. While she did appear as a child actor in her father Mohsen Makhmalbaf's film 'The Cyclist' (1987), her primary contribution to cinema has been as a director rather than an actor. She represents the new wave of Iranian cinema that gained global recognition in the 1990s and 2000s.
The Craft
Milestones
- Youngest director in competition at Cannes Film Festival at age 17 with 'The Apple' (1998)
- Won the Cannes Jury Prize for 'Blackboards' (2000)
- Won the UNESCO Award at Venice Film Festival for 'At Five in the Afternoon' (2003)
- Directed first film at age 17
- Part of the Makhmalbaf film family dynasty
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Cannes Jury Prize for 'Blackboards' (2000)
- UNESCO Award at Venice Film Festival for 'At Five in the Afternoon' (2003)
- Sutherland Trophy at London Film Festival for 'The Apple' (1998)
- Grand Prix of the Americas at Montreal World Film Festival for 'The Apple' (1998)
Nominated
- Palme d'Or nomination at Cannes for 'The Apple' (1998)
- Palme d'Or nomination at Cannes for 'Blackboards' (2000)
- Golden Lion nomination at Venice for 'At Five in the Afternoon' (2003)
Special Recognition
- Named one of the 40 best directors in the world by The Guardian in 2008
- Retrospectives at major international film festivals
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Samira Makhmalbaf represents the emergence of women directors in Iranian cinema and has been instrumental in bringing international attention to contemporary Iranian filmmaking. Her work has challenged both Iranian and international perceptions of women's roles in Middle Eastern societies. As part of the new wave of Iranian cinema, she contributed to establishing Iran as a major force in world cinema during the 1990s and 2000s. Her films have been used in academic contexts to study post-revolution Iranian society and the role of women in Islamic cultures.
Lasting Legacy
Makhmalbaf's legacy lies in her achievement as one of the youngest internationally recognized directors in cinema history and her role in expanding the possibilities for women filmmakers in the Middle East. Her films continue to be studied for their unique blend of social commentary and poetic storytelling. She helped establish the Makhmalbaf family as a dynasty in world cinema, with multiple family members contributing to the art form.
Who They Inspired
Her early success inspired a generation of young filmmakers, particularly women in Iran and the wider Middle East. Her documentary-style approach to fiction filmmaking has influenced filmmakers seeking to address social issues through cinema. The international recognition of her work helped open doors for other Iranian directors to gain global distribution and festival exposure.
Off Screen
Born to acclaimed Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf and film editor Marzieh Meshkini. Her sister Hana Makhmalbaf is also a filmmaker. She grew up in a cinematic environment and was homeschooled while learning filmmaking from her father. She continues the family legacy of socially conscious filmmaking while developing her own distinct voice.
Education
Homeschooled with focus on filmmaking, learned directly from her father Mohsen Makhmalbaf and through hands-on experience in film production
Did You Know?
- Made her first film at age 17, becoming the youngest director in competition at Cannes
- Her film 'The Apple' was based on a true story about two girls kept in isolation by their parents
- She often uses non-professional actors in her films for authenticity
- Her films are frequently banned or censored in Iran due to their critical social content
- She comes from a family of filmmakers - both her parents and sister are directors
- She has served on juries at major international film festivals including Cannes and Venice
- Her film 'Blackboards' was shot in difficult conditions near the Iran-Iraq border
- She was only 7 years old when she appeared in her father's film 'The Cyclist'
- Her mother Marzieh Meshkini directed 'The Day I Became a Woman' (2000)
- She has been compared to legendary directors for her mature vision despite her young age
In Their Own Words
Cinema is my language to speak with the world
I don't make films to teach people, I make films to learn with people
Every film is a new discovery for me
I think cinema is the best way to show reality
Being a woman director in Iran is not easy, but it gives me a different perspective
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Samira Makhmalbaf?
Samira Makhmalbaf is an acclaimed Iranian film director who emerged as a major international filmmaker in the late 1990s. Born in 1980, she became the youngest director ever to compete at Cannes at age 17 with her debut film 'The Apple' (1998). While she appeared as a child actor in her father's film 'The Cyclist' (1987), she is primarily known for her directorial work focusing on social issues in Iran and Afghanistan.
What films is Samira Makhmalbaf best known for?
Samira Makhmalbaf is best known for her acclaimed feature films 'The Apple' (1998), 'Blackboards' (2000) which won the Cannes Jury Prize, 'At Five in the Afternoon' (2003) which won the UNESCO Award at Venice, and 'Two-Legged Horse' (2008). These films established her reputation as a major voice in world cinema.
When was Samira Makhmalbaf born?
Samira Makhmalbaf was born on February 15, 1980, in Tehran, Iran. She is still alive and continues to work as a filmmaker. She comes from the prominent Makhmalbaf family of Iranian filmmakers.
What awards did Samira Makhmalbaf win?
Samira Makhmalbaf won the Cannes Jury Prize for 'Blackboards' (2000), the UNESCO Award at Venice for 'At Five in the Afternoon' (2003), and the Sutherland Trophy at London for 'The Apple' (1998). She has also received numerous other festival awards and was named one of the 40 best directors in the world by The Guardian in 2008.
What was Samira Makhmalbaf's directing style?
Samira Makhmalbaf's directing style combines poetic realism with social consciousness, often using non-professional actors to achieve authenticity. Her films focus on marginalized communities, particularly women and children in conflict zones, blending documentary observation with lyrical storytelling to address social issues in Iran and Afghanistan.
Learn More
Films
1 film
