Hana Makhmalbaf

Directing

Biography

Born on December the 3rd, 1988 in Tehran. At age 7, she acted in Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s, her father, film titled “A moment Of Innocence”.

Hana has also published her first book of poetry ‘Visa for One Moment’ in 2003. She has been continuously working in Makhmalbaf Family films as Still Photographer, Script Supervisor and Assistant Director. She studied Cinema in Makhmalbaf Film School for 8 years before she graduated at the age 16.

At age 8, she made her first short film with a handycam camera titled “The Day My Aunt Was ill”. The film received international attention at Locarno Film Festival in 1997 when she was only 9 years old.

At age 14, Hana shot a documentary titled “Joy of Madness” in Afghanistan. This film premiered at Venice Film Festival 2003 and received 3 international awards.

At the age18, she made her first feature “Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame” in Bamian of Afghanistan. The film went to receive enormous reception around the world receiving many prestigious awards including: "Crystal Bear" from Berlin Film Festival 2008, Special "Peace Award" Berlin Film Festival 2008, "Grand Jury Award" San Sebastian Film Festival 2007, The TVE Award “La Otra Mirada” Spanish TV Spain 2007, Unicef "Paolo Ungari" special award Rome Film Festival 2007, "Daniel Langlois Innovation Prize" Festival du nouveau cinéma Montreal 2007, "Woman & Equality Award" Thessaloniki Film Festival 2007 ….. and has been nominated to receive the Best Asian Film Award from Hong Kong Film Festival 2008.

Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame was released in 60 theatres in France, 40 theatres in Spain and 20 theatres in Japan simultaneously. However, the film was not allowed a screening in Hana's homeland in Iran.

Hana’s most recent film "Green Days" looks at the incidents during the 2009 presidential election in Iran. The film was selected for the official section of Venice film festival and recived "Bravery Award" of the festival. " Visa For A Moment " is the title of the book of poetry by Hana which was published in three diffrent languages in 2003.