Before beginning his movie career, Jafar Panahi made a number of short films and documentaries for Iranian television and worked as assistant director. Panahi’s features have won many awards at international festivals: his directorial debut, Badkonake sefid (The White Balloon, 1995 Camera d’or in Cannes), was followed by Ayneh (The Mirror, 1997 Golden Leopard in Locarno), Dayereh (The Circle, 2000 Golden Lion in Venice), Talaye sorkh (Crimson Gold, 2003 Prix du Jury - Un Certain Regard in Cannes), as well as Offside, which won the Silver Bear (Grand Prix of the Jury) at the Berlinale in 2006. His last short film, The Accordion, celebrated its premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

In his films, Jafar Panahi explores the social situation in his homeland.