Navid Nikkhah Azad
Film Director / Movie Critic
Navid Nikkhah Azad
Film Director / Movie Critic
Navid Nikkhah Azad is an Iranian film director and a journalist. He is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ)
Contact
Navid Nikkhah Azad, an Iranian political asylum seeker residing in the Netherlands, has a diverse professional background as a Film Director, Critic, and Journalist.
His work in directing has been recognized, boasting multiple award-winning films showcased across more than 300 international film festivals.
Navid Nikkhah Azad is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ).
One of his notable works includes the short film 'The Recess' (2021), which portrays the tragic story of the Iranian football fan, Sahar Khodayari, also known as Blue Girl. This film has garnered over 160 international selections and 30 awards.
In November 2023, Navid Nikkhah Azad fled to the Netherlands after producing "No End," a film scrutinizing the Iranian government and its leader Ali Khamenei. Concerned about facing imprisonment, torture, or worse, he sought political asylum in the Netherlands for safety and protection.
Filmography
152 Awards & Selections
Official Selection
The Recess
Butoni Film Fest · Edition: 3 · 2023
Valencia
2023
Official Selection
The Recess
Ponme un corto · Edition: 3 · 2023
2023
Official Selection
The Recess
International Film Festival for Children and Youth KINOLUB · Edition: 8 · 2023
Katowice
2023
Award Winner - "Freedom of taste" Prize
The Recess
Officine Social Movie · Edition: 4 · 2023
Arezzo
2023
Official Selection – Hook Competition
The Recess
Red Rock Film Fest & Utah Film Market · Edition: 16 · 2022
2022
Winner - Special Mention
The Recess
COFFI – CortOglobo Film Festival Italia · Edition: 17 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival · Edition: 17 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Link International Film Festival · Edition: 6 · 2022
2022
Winner – Best International Film
The Recess
Matera Sport Film Festival · Edition: 12 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Kurzfilmfestival Kufstein · Edition: 5 · 2022
Kufstein, Tirol
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
KINÉ Muestra Internacional de Cortometrajes · Edition: 5 · 2022
2022
Winner - Honorable Mention
The Recess
Student World Impact Film Festival · Edition: 2 · 2022
Paramus, New Jersey
2022
Award Winner - Best Short Film
The Recess
CreaSport · Edition: 5 · 2022
Lorca, Murcia
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Bajo Nuestra Piel – Festival Internacional de Cine de Derechos Humanos · Edition: 6 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Accordi @ DISACCORDI – International Short Film Festival · Edition: 19 · 2022
2022
Ensemble Cast Nomination for Most Daring Role & Best Female Actress / Award Winner – Humanitarian Film Award
The Recess
Colortape International Film Festival · Edition: 6 · 2022
Brisbane
2022
Winner – First Prize
The Recess
FICCAB – Festival Internacional de Cortometrajes y Cine Alternativo de Benalmádena · Edition: 21 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional De Cine Infantil Y Juvenil, Calibélula · Edition: 6 · 2022
Cali
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Tuzla Film Festival · Edition: 11 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festigol, Festival de Cine + Fútbol · Edition: 5 · 2022
2022
Winner – Honorable Mention for Best Narrative Short Film
The Recess
Sharjah Film Platform · Edition: 5 · 2022
Sharjah
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Chania Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2022
Chania, Crete
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
The NGO International Film Festival · Edition: 2 · 2022
Nairobi
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Goa Short Film Festival · Edition: 9 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cortometrajes K-LIDOSCOPI (Goya Awards-qualifying film festival) · Edition: 11 · 2022
CULLERA, VALENCIA
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Monstrale Festival · Edition: 8 · 2022
Halle
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional de Cine y Video Kayche' Tejidos Visuales · Edition: 6 · 2022
Yucatán
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Cortogenial, Festival de Cine y Cortometrajes Puente-Genil · Edition: 13 · 2022
Puente Genil, Córdoba
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Sedicicorto International Film Festival · Edition: 19 · 2022
Forli
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
“FIDEMA” (Festival Internacional de las Emociones en Argentina) · Edition: 4 · 2022
córdoba
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
FICCS - Festival Internacional de Cortos de la Cuenca del Salado · Edition: 13 · 2022
Rauch, Buenos Aires
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional de Cine de la No-Violencia Activa (FICNOVA) · Edition: 6 · 2022
2022
Winner - Bronze Prize for Best Narrative Short Film
The Recess
Social Justice Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2022
Seattle, WA
2022
Semi-Finalist
The Recess
𝗇𝗎𝗄𝗁𝗎𝖿𝖾𝗌𝗍· Edition: 7 · 2022
New York
2022
Winner - FARCUME Grand Jury Prize
The Recess
FARCUME: Festival Internacional de Curtas-Metragens de Faro · Edition: 12 · 2022
Faro, Algarve
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Semana por la Soberanía Audiovisual · Edition: 9 · 2022
Buenos Aires
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival of Nations · Edition: 50 · 2022
Weyregg
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Corto Creativo Short Film Festival · Edition: 5 · 2022
Tijuana, Baja California 22104 Mexico
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Footcandle Film Festival · Edition: 8 · 2022
Hickory, NC
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Kratkog Metra · Edition: 1 · 2022
Novigrad, Istria
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Kursaal Film Festival San Sebastián · Edition: 3 · 2022
San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa)
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
International Film Festival - El Cine Suma Paz · Edition: 1 · 2022
Bogotá
2022
Winner - Best Film in FEMME Section
The Recess
Garofano Rosso FIlm Festival· Edition: 11 · 2022
Forme, Aq
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival · Edition: 18 · 2022
Thunder Bay, ON
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival De Cine: Infancia Y Adolescencia (FESTICINE) · Edition: 13 · 2022
Bogotá
2022
Semi - Finalist
The Recess
Serbest International Film Festival · Edition: 3 · 2022
Kishinev
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional de cine de Norte de Santander (FICNOR) · Edition: 5 · 2022
Cucuta, Norte de Santander
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Curta O Gênero · Edition: 13 · 2022
Fortaleza
2022
Semi-Finalist
The Recess
Nyack International Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2022
Nyack, NY
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional de Cine de Quito (FICQ) · Edition: 7 · 2022
Quito
2022
Winner - "Piero Panarello" Award
The Recess
Corto di Sera · Edition: 11 · 2022
Sicilia
2022
Nominated for Best Film
The Recess
Festival Internacional De Cortometrajes Luna de Cortos · Edition: 9 · 2022
Riego de la Vega, León
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Woods Hole Film Festival · Edition: 31 · 2022
Woods Hole, MA
2022
Winner - L'OTTAVA ISOLA Award
The Recess
Milazzo Film Festival · Edition: 7 · 2022
Milazzo, Messina
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cine Incontrastable (FestCI) · Edition: 2 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Muestra Internacional De Cortometraje Solidario De Ciudad Real · Edition: 5 · 2022
Ciudad Real
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Civitanova Film Festival · Edition: 8 · 2022
Civitanova Marche
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Elche International Independent Film Festival (Goya Awards-qualifying film festival) · Edition: 45 · 2022
Elche, Alicante
2022
Winner - Best Screenplay
The Recess
Social World Film Festival · Edition: 12 · 2022
Vico Equense, Napoli
2022
Winner – Best Short Film
The Recess
Islantilla Cinefórum – Festival Internacional de Cine Bajo la Luna · Edition: 15 · 2022
Islantilla
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
International Alexandria Short Film Festival · Edition: 8 · 2022
Alexandria
2022
Nominated for Best Social Short Film
The Recess
Tracce Cinematografiche Film Fest · Edition: 11 · 2022
Nettuno, Roma
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
FECIBogotá - International Independent Film Fair of Bogotá · Edition: 7 · 2022
Bogotá
2022
Nominated for Best Short Film
The Recess
Balinale—Bali Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2022
SANUR, BALI
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
MED-LIMES, "Ai Confini del Mediterraneo" · Edition: 5 · 2022
Salerno, Campania
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Reto Por El Mundo (Erronka Munduan) · Edition: 1 · 2022
San Sebastián
2022
Winner - Special Mention
The Recess
Digital Gate International Film Festival · Edition: 25 · 2022
Annaba
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Fastnet Film Festival · Edition: 14 · 2022
Schull, Co. Cork
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
GwangHwaMun International Short Film Festival · Edition: 20 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Bengal International Short Film Festival · Edition: 7 · 2022
Kolkata
2022
Winner - Best Film
The Recess
Beausoleil Côte d'Azur International FICTS Festival du Cinéma Sportif · Edition: 6 · 2022
Nice
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival La Fila de Cortometrajes · Edition: 26 · 2022
Valladolid
2022
Winner – Best Short Film
The Recess
Certamen Universitario de Cortometrajes C.M.U. Santa María de Europa · Edition: 23 · 2022
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Dawson City International Short Film Festival · Edition: 23 · 2022
Dawson City, Yukon
2022
Nominated for Best Narrative Short
The Recess
SHORT to the Point · Edition: 14 · 2022
Târgu Mureș
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (PJIFF) · Edition: 15 · 2022
Morgan Hill, CA
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Censurados Film Festival · Edition: 8 · 2022
Lima
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Media Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2022
Media, PA
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
FILUMS International Film Festival · Edition: 11 · 2022
Lahore, Punjab
2022
Winner - Special Mention
The Recess
Cortos Por La Igualdad · Edition: 13 · 2022
Valencia
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cinema Estudantil de Guaíba · Edition: 19 · 2022
GUAíBA, Rio Grande do Sul
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Gasparilla International Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2022
Tampa, FL
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
SPE Media Festival · Edition: 27 · 2022
Cleveland
2022
Nominated for Best Social Impact
The Recess
Watersprite Film Festival · Edition: 13 · 2022
Cambridge
2022
Winner: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound Design, Best Producer
The Recess
Digital Grifix Film Awards · Edition: 8 · 2022
Montreal, Quebec
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Common Good International Film Festival · Edition: 20 · 2022
Salem, OR
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Spokane International Film Festival SpIFF) · Edition: 22 · 2022
Spokane
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Jacksonville Film Festival (JFF) · Edition: 15 · 2022
Jacksonville, Florida
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Green Bay Film Festival · Edition: 12 · 2022
Green Bay
2022
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cine Global de Santo Domingo (FIAPF-accredited film festival) · Edition: 14 · 2022
Santo Domingo
2022
Winner - Edward Snowden Award
The Recess
Festival internacional Signes de Nuit · Edition: 19 · 2021
Lisboa
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Internacional Cinema da Fronteira · Edition: 12 · 2021
Bagé
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
CityBlue Films Awards · Edition: 5 · 2021
Alicante
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Asti International Film Festival · Edition: 11 · 2021
Asti
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Shockfest Film Festival · Edition: 13 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional La Mirada Tabú · Edition: 8 · 2021
Zaragoza
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
JAYU's Human Rights Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2021
Toronto, Ontario
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
16 Festival Audiovisual Comunicurtas · Edition: 16 · 2021
Campina Grande, Paraíba
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
PrideTime! Festival Internacional de Cine Diverso de Canarias · Edition: 13 · 2021
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Veracruz World Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2021
Veracruz
2021
Winner - Honorable Mention
The Recess
Sarno Film Festival · Edition: 11 · 2021
Sarno
2021
Winner - Best Fiction Film
The Recess
IPSMF (International Photography and Short Movie Festival) · Edition: 5 · 2021
West Java, Indonesia
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Social Film Festival Artelesia · Edition: 13 · 2021
Benevento
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena (FICC) (FIAPF-accredited film festival) · Edition: 50 · 2021
Cartagena
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internazionale del Cinema di Salerno · Edition: 75 · 2021
Salerno
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Almería International Film Festival (FICAL 2021) · Edition: 21 · 2021
Almeria
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Utopia Film Festival · Edition: 17 · 2021
Greenbelt
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
East Lansing Film Festival (ELFF) · Edition: 24 · 2021
East Lansing, Michigan
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Route 66 Film Festival · Edition: 20 · 2021
Springfield, Illinois
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Caminhos Film Festival · Edition: 27 · 2021
Coimbra
2021
Winner - BEST OF FEST in the rest of the world
The Recess
Jersey Shore Film Festival (JSFF) · Edition: 14 · 2021
Deal, New Jersey
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Ojai Film Festival · Edition: 22 · 2021
Oak View
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Filmfest FrauenWelten · Edition: 21 · 2021
Berlin
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
FAMMA - Festival Audiovisual de Los Montes de MarÍa · Edition: 10 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Muestra Internacional de Cortometrajes Jujuy/Cortos · Edition: 20 · 2021
San Salvador de Jujuy
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Purbeck Film Festival · Edition: 24 · 2021
Wareham, Dorset
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Curtas Festival do Imaxinario · Edition: 49 · 2021
Vilagarcia de Arousa
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional De Cine De Granada - Premios Lorca · Edition: 2 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival De Cine Invisible Film Sozialak De Bilbao · Edition: 14 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Sakarya International Short Film Festival · Edition: 7 · 2021
Serdivan, Sakarya
2021
Winner - Best International Short Film
The Recess
Progeny Short Film Festival · Edition: 18 · 2021
Blacksburg, VA
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Crossroads International Short Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2021
Istanbul
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Chesapeake Film Festival · Edition: 14 · 2021
Easton
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
FECISO · Festival de Cine Social de Castilla-la Mancha · Edition: 18 · 2021
Torrijos
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Sportfilm Liberec International FICTS Festival · Edition: 24 · 2021
2021
Winner - Best International Short Film
The Recess
Festival Internacional De Cine De Dosquebradas · Edition: 16 · 2021
Dosquebradas
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Semana de Cine de Lugo · Edition: 43 · 2021
Lugu
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Visioni Corte Short Film Festival · Edition: 10 · 2021
Gaeta, Lazio
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Adana Golden Boll Film Festival · Edition: 28 · 2021
Adana
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
OnScreen Film and Video Festival · Edition: 14 · 2022
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Salento International Film Festival · Edition: 18 · 2021
Tricase
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cine Estudiantil FENACIES · Edition: 11 · 2021
Montevideo
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) · Edition: 21 · 2021
Nevada City (CA)
2021
Showcase Selection in Current Window (Finestra d’Actualitat) section
The Recess
Mostremp Cinema Rural al Pallars · Edition: 12 · 2022
2021
Winner - Award of Excellence
The Recess
IndieFEST Film Awards · Edition: 12 · 2021
La Jolla, CA
2021
Nominated For Best Short Film
The Recess
Festival de Cine de Calzada de Calatrava · Edition: 8 · 2021
Ciudad Real
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Ischia Global Film Festival · Edition: 19 · 2021
Ischia
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Kimera International Film Festival · Edition: 19 · 2021
Termoli
2021
Winner - Best Dramatic Short Film
The Recess
San Francisco Frozen Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2021
San Francisco
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
River Film Festival · Edition: 15 · 2021
Porta Portello
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Grand River Film Festival · Edition: 13 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Vox Feminae Festival · Edition: 15 · 2021
Zagreb
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Política · Edition: 5 · 2022
2021
Nominated for Best Narrative
The Recess
Humboldt International Film Fest · Edition: 54 · 2021
Arcata
2021
Winner - Best Narrative Short
The Recess
The Johns Hopkins Film Festival · Edition: 24 · 2021
Baltimore
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Reality Bytes Independent Student Film Festival · Edition: 20 · 2021
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Garden State Film Festival · Edition: 19 · 2021
Asbury Park
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival Internacional De Cine De Lebu (Oscar Qualifying Festival) · Edition: 21 · 2021
Santiago
2021
Winner - Best Performance
The Recess
Living Skies Student Film Festival · Edition: 33 · 2021
Regina
2021
Winner - Best Narrative Short
The Recess
Oxford Film Festival · Edition: 18 · 2021
Oxford
2021
Official Selection
The Recess
SPORT MOVIES & TV (2022) – 40 MILANO INTERNATIONAL FICTS FEST · Edition: 40 · 2022
Milan
Official Selection
The Recess
Festival de Cine de Alicante (Goya Awards qualifying festival) · Edition: 18 · 2021
Alicante
Show All Awards
Personal Details
Birth Date
December 7, 1982
Nickname
Navid Azad
Birth City
Tehran
Current City
Assen, Netherlands
Hometown
Tehran
Height
176 cm
Gender
Male
Ethnicity
Asian
Eye Color
Brown
Zodiac Sign
Sagittarius
Married To
Single
Children
None
Quotes
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." — Samuel Beckett
Navid Nikkhah Azad is an Iranian film director and a journalist. He is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ)
Contact
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