Rakhshan Banietemad

Rakhshan Banietemad, born in 1954 Tehran, began to make documentaries for the Iranian National Television in 1979, right after graduating from the University of Dramatic Arts, Tehran. From 1979 to 1987, she focused on making only documentaries. In 1987, she directed her first feature film “Off the Limits”. In 1991, she became the first woman recipient of the Best Director award for “Nargess” at Fajr International Film Festival in Iran. In 1995, she won the Bronze Leopard for The Blue Veiled at the Locarno Film Festival. “Under the Skin of the City”, her next film, was the highest grossing film in Iran in 2000. This film along with “Gilaneh” (2005) and “Mainline” (2006), garnered major awards in more than 50 film festivals. Also “Tales” won the Best Screenplay award in the main competition of Venice International Film Festival in 2014.

 While Banietemad’s feature films have been acclaimed and honored worldwide, her documentaries have also been successful and popular internationally. “Our Times…”, was the first documentary ever to be released in the movie theaters in Iran in 2002. It was also screened in highly prestigious and prominent festivals and TV channels such as IDFA, Sundance Film Festival and ARTE.

From 2013 to 2017, she mentored six documentaries, which were well received by the public and contributed to a positive perception of the genre.

In 2008, she received an honorary doctorate from University of London, in 2010, she was awarded the Prix Henri Langlois from Vincennes International Film Festival.

 She has joined the Academy Oscar, Writers branch in 2017.

AWARDS & HONORS

Grosso d’Or Venezolano International Prize (Italy), 2023 – Honorary Award, 7th Int’l Malatya FF (Turkey), 2017 – Honorary Golden Cycle, 23rd Vesoul Film Festival (France), 2017 – Ethics and Prayer Award for Social and Civilian Activities (Iran), 2016 – Cinema Honorary Award, 4th Int’l Women FF (Afghanistan), 2016 – Cinema Honorary Award, 6th Int’l Crime & Punishment FF (Turkey), 2016 – Best Film (Tales), Prague Iranian FF (Czech Republic), 2016 – Audience Award (Tales), Gene Siskel Film Center (USA), 2015 – Best Film (Tales), London Iranian FF (UK), 2015 – Special Jury Prize (Tales), Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia), 2014 – Best Film (Tales), Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award, Kolkata Int’l FF (India), 2014 – Best Screenplay Prize (Tales), Venice Int’l FF (Italy), 2014 – Special Jury Prize (Kahrizak: Four Views), Dubai Int’l FF (UAE), 2012 – Prix Henri Langlois, Vincennes Int’l FF (France), 2010 – Special Jury Prize (We Are Half of Iran's Population), WIFTS (USA), 2009 – Special Jury Prize & Best Actress (Mainline), Kara Int’l FF (Pakistan), 2009 – Best Screenplay & Best Actress (Mainline), Pyongyang Int’l FF (North Korea), 2008 – Grand Jury Prize (Mainline), Int’l Women's Film Festival (Créteil, France), 2008 – Achievement in Directing (Mainline), Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Australia), 2007 – Best Director & Best Actress (Mainline), Iran Cinema House Awards (Iran), 2007 – Best Film (Mainline), City Int’l FF (Iran), 2006 – Best Film (Mainline), Asiatica Film Mediale (Italy), 2006 – Special Jury Prize (Gilaneh), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Int’l FF (Spain), 2006 – Netpac Award (Gilaneh), Vesoul Asian Film Festival (France), 2006 – Golden Lotus Award, Iranian Women Film Directors (Iran), 2006 – Best Film & Best Actress (Gilaneh), Kara Int’l FF (Pakistan), 2005 – Artistic & Cultural Achievement Award, Kara Int’l FF (Pakistan), 2004 – Special Jury Award (Under the Skin of the City), Seattle Int’l FF (USA), 2002 – Netpac Award (Our Times), Locarno Int’l FF (Switzerland), 2002 – Netpac Award (Under the Skin of the City), Karlovy Vary Int’l FF (Czech Republic), 2001 – Holden Award for Best Script, Audience Award & CinemAvvenire Award for Best Feature Film (Under the Skin of the City), Torino Int’l FF (Italy), 2001 – Special Jury Prize (Under the Skin of the City), Moscow Int’l FF (Russia), 2000 – Critics Award & FIPRESCI Award (The May Lady), Montreal Int’l FF (Canada), 1998 – Prince Claus Prize for Culture and Development (Netherlands), 1998 – "Il Sindaco di Firenze” Peace and Freedom Award (Italy), 1998 – Best Asian Woman Director (The Blue Veiled), India Int’l FF (India), 1996 – FIPRESCI Award (The Blue Veiled), Thessaloniki Int’l FF (Greece), 1996 – Bronze Leopard (The Blue Veiled), Locarno Int’l FF (Switzerland), 1995 – Best Film (Off the Limits), Comedy Int’l FF (Italy), 1987.