Scholar and filmmaker
Amin Pakparvar is an Iranian scholar and filmmaker whose work moves between research and artistic practice. Holding a BA in Cinema Studies from the University of Art in Tehran and an MA in Visual and Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), he researches the role of personal archives in Iran and how underground films, private recordings, and family photographs circulate online to reclaim political space. His films draw on speculative methods to reimagine hidden histories and overlooked sites in Iran, blurring the boundaries between documentation and invention. His scholarly and creative work has been presented at international conferences, Oscar-qualifying festivals, and major exhibitions. He has also held teaching assistantships at SAIC and worked at the Video Data Bank (VDB), the largest video art archive in North America.
Official Selection
Memories of a Window
66th Krakow Film Festival
Krakow
2026
Official Selection
Memories of a Window
57th Visions du Reel International Film Festival
Nyon
2026
Two awards: The Crystal Bear - The International Jury Special Mention
Memories of a Window
76th Berlinale Film Festival
Berlin
2026
Nominated for best short documentary
Height of the kite
Athens International Film Festival, Ohio, USA
Ohio
2025
Nominated for the best student short film
Height of the kite
Ethnofest Documentary Film Festival
Athens
2024
Nominated for Best short documentary
Height of the kite
St. Louis International Film Festival
St. Louis
2024
Official Selection
Height of the kite
Durban International Film Festival
Durban
2024
Finalist in the Short Films Competition
Height of the kite
Big Sky International Documentary Film Festival
Missoula
2024
Best Documentary / Best film concerning Tehran and tourism / Nominated for best editing
Death and the Dragon
OMID international student short film and photo festival
Tehran
2022
Honorable mention
Death and the Dragon
Cinema Verde
Florida
2021
Best documentary research award / Nominated for best documentary / nominated for best editing
Death and the Dragon
Tehran international short film festival
Tehran
2021
Official selection
Death and the Dragon
17th annual picture of Iran
Tehran
2021
nominated for best documentary / Honorable mention by The independent association of Iranian documentary producers.
Death and the Dragon
17th Nahal film festival
Tehran
2021
Official selection
Death and the Dragon
50th Roshd Film festival
Tehran
2021
nominated for best research / honored as the third place of audience award
Death and the Dragon
14th Cinema Verite (Iran international film festival)
Tehran
2020
College
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Visual and Critical Studies
20232025
Birth Date
February 8, 1998
Birth City
Tehran
Current City
Chicago
Hometown
Shiraz
Gender
Male
Ethnicity
Iranian
Scholar and filmmaker
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