Born in 1973, Majid Barzegar is a prominent Iranian filmmaker whose work has played a central role in shaping Iran’s modern independent cinema. A director, writer, and producer, he is widely recognized for his subtle yet powerful storytelling and his ability to portray the emotional and existential struggles of ordinary people.

Barzegar made his feature directorial debut with Rainy Seasons (2010), which received the Jury’s Special Mention Award at the 34th São Paulo International Film Festival. His second feature, Parviz (2012), brought him further international attention, winning the Special Jury Mention at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the NETPAC Award at the Asiatica Film Mediale in Rome.

In 2015, Barzegar released A Very Ordinary Citizen, which premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival and won the Sepanta Award for Best Feature Film at the Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco. His most recent directorial work, The Rain Falls Where It Will (Abr Baranash Gerefte, 2020), premiered at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), further cementing his status as a leading independent voice.

Beyond his directorial career, Barzegar is a prolific producer and a driving force behind numerous acclaimed Iranian films. He has been invited three times to the Berlin International Film Festival as a producer, including for Leakage (2019), and participated in the Cinéfondation section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2018 with Like a Good Kid.
His productions have achieved significant international success: A Minor Leap Down (2015) won the FIPRESCI Prize at Berlinale, Mamiroo (2015) received the same prize at the Busan International Film Festival, and Valderrama (2016) was nominated for Best Feature Debut at Berlinale.

Alongside his film work, Barzegar is also an accomplished photographer and editor, whose artistic sensibility extends across multiple disciplines. His independent approach and collaborative spirit have made him a key figure in Iran’s new wave of auteur-driven filmmaking.