Raeesian, Alireza (born 1956, Tehran)

Born in Tehran, Raeesian graduated from IRIB College and received an honorary doctorate from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

He began working as an assistant director of short films. Raeisian, who is considered a cinema expert, has been the head of the Iranian directors’ association, president of the Iranian Academy of Arts, member of the Fajr International Film Festival panel of jury, head of the youth cinema panel of jury and head of the First Hope Festival panel of jury. 

He has directed movies ‘The Deserted Station’ (2001) and ‘The Havana Brief’ (2004), directed and produced ‘Reyhaneh’ (1989) and ‘Being 40’ (2009) and produced ‘The Lady of Ordibehesht’ (1997). 

Raeesian’s ‘Reyhaneh’ (1989) was nominated for best film award at the Fajr International Film Festival. He received the honorary diploma of best directing for ‘The Journey’ (1994) and was nominated for the best directing and best film at the Fajr International Film Festival for ‘Time for love’ (2014).