He was born in 1972. He made his first short film at age 13 and had made five short films before attending the University of Tehran in 1991 to study theater, a choice that would influence his filmmaking style significantly. His most awarded film, A Separation, premiered at the Berlinale, where he won the Golden Bear and broke an audience record that had stood for 60 years.

(selected)
2005 Fireworks Wednesday 
2010 A Separation 
2013 The Past 
2016 The Salesman