Mohsen Makhmalbaf (born May 29, 1957) is one of the most creative film directors and writers of Iran, whose films during the last ten years were presented in the international film festivals more than 1,000 times. As of 2002 he had gained 26 international prizes. Until now he has published 27 books many of which have already been translated in more than ten languages. Some of his films has been shown in more than 40 countries.
During the last five years he has also taught cinema i.a. to his family members, who have already made 6 films. As an example, Marziyeh Meshkini , his wife, could gain thirteen international prizes for her film called The Day I Became a Woman . And his daughter, Samira succeeded to gain the jury's prize in Cannes film festival in France, 2000. For his productive instructing method, The University of Boston in the USA gave him its Special Prize in the year 2000.
Makhmalbaf also founded a non-governmental organization for enabling Afghan children to go to school in Iran and by means of changes in Iranian laws because of his campaigns, he succeeded to send 10,000-s of immigrated Afghan children, to schools in Iran. Now he with his family lives in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. He is helping to build schools and hospitals there and also helps an Afghan director in producing a movie. Also Samira has directed a movie over there called 5:00 pm .