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Arsalan Amiri, born in 1975 in Iranian Kurdistan, studied filmmaking at the Iranian Youth Cinema Society in Sanandaj-Kurdistan in 1995. He earned his BA in Film Directing from Tehran Art University and his MA in Dramatic Literature from the University of Tehran. He began his career making documentary films as a director, producer, and editor.
Amiri worked as a screenwriter and editor on several TV movies for Iran's National Broadcasting Corporation (IRIB), including The Story of Davood and the Dove (2011), produced by Kianoush Ayari and directed by Ida Panahandeh.
His first feature film as co-screenwriter and editor was Nahid (2015), directed by Ida Panahandeh. This film was nominated for Best Screenplay at Iran's Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) and was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Prix de l'avenir.
Villa Dwellers (2017), directed by Munir Gheidi, was Amiri’s second screenplay project, earning him a Best Screenplay nomination at the 2017 Fajr Film Festival. This was followed by Israfil (2017), his third co-screenwriting effort, directed by Ida Panahandeh and screened at the BFI London Film Festival the same year.
He reunited with Ida Panahandeh as co-screenwriter and editor on The Nikaidos' Fall (2018), filmed in Japan. Their collaboration continued with Titi (2020), where Amiri served as producer and screenwriter; this film was featured at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival.
Amiri made his directorial debut with Zalava (2021), shot during the COVID-19 pandemic in a village near Sanandaj-Kurdistan. Zalava received 10 nominations at the 2021 Fajr Film Festival, winning Best First Feature Director, Best Script, Best Supporting Actor, and a special mention for cinematography.
Zalava had its international premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, winning the FIPRESCI Prize for the best film in the parallel sections and the Grand Prize at the 36th Venice International Critics' Week. Its North American premiere took place at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF 2021). The film also won Best Picture at Fantastic Fest Austin (2021), received a double prize at Duhok International Film Festival (2021), and was screened at festivals including Rotterdam, Gothenburg, Glasgow, São Paulo, and Morbido.
