Rafi Pitts

Rafi Pitts, born in 1967 in Mashad, Iran, is a prominent Iranian film director known for his impactful storytelling and contributions to cinema. He spent his early years in Tehran, living in a basement beneath a post-production studio, which sparked his interest in film. In 1981, during the Iran-Iraq War, Pitts moved to England, influenced by his English father. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in Film and Photography from the Polytechnic of Central London in 1991, the same year his debut short film, In Exile, premiered at the London International Film Festival.

In the 1990s, Pitts relocated to Paris, where he collaborated with notable filmmakers such as Leos Carax, Jacques Doillon, and Jean-Luc Godard. As an integral part of the new wave of Iranian cinema, his work has garnered acclaim on the international festival circuit, earning numerous prestigious awards.

In 1996, Pitts made history by becoming the first exiled director to film in Iran since the 1979 Revolution. His feature film, Season Five (1997), marked the first Franco-Iranian co-production post-Revolution. His 2006 film, It’s Winter, earned him a nomination for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, a distinction he achieved again in 2010 with his film, The Hunter. Most recently, his 2016 work, Soy Nero, received the Best Film award at the 12th Bucharest International Film Festival, further solidifying his reputation in world cinema.