Kaveh Mazaheri

Born in 1981 in Tehran, Iran, Kaveh Mazaheri is a leading figure in Iran’s independent cinema. Since 2007, he has directed six short fiction films, over twenty documentaries, and a feature film, often exploring critical social issues, particularly challenges faced by women. His short film Retouch (2017) is considered one of Iran’s most distinguished short films, winning over 80 prestigious international awards, including at five Oscar-qualifying festivals: Tribeca, Krakow, Palm Springs, Tirana, and Stockholm. The Iranian Cinema Museum in Tehran has dedicated a booth to honor the film’s achievements.

In 2020, his debut feature Botox premiered at the Torino Film Festival, where it won Best Film and Best Screenplay. Beyond filmmaking, Kaveh Mazaheri has contributed to Iranian cinema as a teacher, jury member, and industry expert. Between 2020 and 2021, he taught film directing courses and led workshops on short film distribution across Iran. He also designed and managed a year-long filmmaking camp at INJA Art Academy. A jury member since 2017, he has served at numerous film festivals worldwide.