# Maryam Pirband

Maryam Pirband (Persian: مریم پیربند) is an Iranian-American filmmaker, director, screenwriter, actress, and a judge in international film festivals. Some of her films have been selected and awarded by notable international festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Dhaka International Film Festival, Jaipur International Film Festival, new York international film festival. She is best known for winning the "Best Female Director Award" at Action On Film International Film Festival for Silence in 2017. Pirband is the only Iranian official member of Alliance of Women Directors, and has participated in many film festivals as a jury member and head of jury. She's also known for Dance with Me (2012), Hanaii (2012), and Fermysk (2017), Dandelion Season (2020), Vertical (2023).

## Early life

Pirband was born in Tehran. She is graduated in Master in screenwriting from Azusa Pacific University, Movie Directing from Society of Iranian Youth Film Makers. She also has a B.A in Economics from Tehran university. She is a PhD student at EGS in Philosophy, Art & Critical Thought.

## Career

Pirband began her professional activities in the movie industry as an assistant and script supervisor. In 2006, she began taking roles as a stunt performer after meeting Peyman Abadi. After being stunt roles, Pirband began working on producing and directing films, and made her first short film in the action genre. Prior to her directing career, Pirband enjoyed acting roles in 22 films, television series and theater productions . P6 marked her debut as a director. She directed, wrote and produced over 18 films which have been submitted to international film festivals. Dance with Me was her first film to make its way to a notable international film festival at the Cannes. Slemani International Film Festival in Iraq marked her debut as an international judge. She has won numerous awards worldwide such as: Best Female Filmmaker Award for Dandelion Season, 10th International New York Film Festival, Social Impact Award for Dandelion Season, Tietê International Film Awards, Brazil, Yellow Rose Award for Dandelion Season at 14th Jaipur Film Festival, India, Best Feature award for Dandelion Season at 5th Delhi Film Festival, India, Best Director Award for Silence at Job International Film Festival, Iran, Best foreign short film for Fermysk at Action on Film Festival, USA, Most Daring Award for Fermysk at Hollywood Dreamz Festival, USA,Special Jury award for Fermysk at International Cinema through Women's Eye, Kurdistan, Award of Merit for Fermysk at Pacific Screen Awards, Indonesia, Zeus Director Award for Fermysk at International Olympus Film Festival, USA,Best Director Award for Silence at European International Film Festival, USA, Best foreign short film for Fermysk at Action on Film (AOF) MegaFest XVIII Festival, USA,

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Credited as | Credited as | Credited as | Notes |
| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes |
| 2022- 2023 | Vertical | Yes | No | Vertical Productions | |
| 2019-2020 | Dandelion Season | Yes | Yes | Dandelion Season LLC |
| 2017-2018 | Fermysk | Yes | Yes | Majsam Productions |
| 2015-2016 | Perplexity | Yes | Yes | Majid Molaie |
| 2015 | Cell & Coin | Yes | Yes | Majid Molaei |
| 2014 | My Portion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2014 | A Tiny Mistake | Yes | No | | |
| 2014 | Silence | Yes | Yes | Job Film Fest |
| 2012 | Dance With Me | Yes | Yes | Alireza Raeisian |
| 2011 | Hanaii | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2010 | Shoot | Yes | Yes | Art field of Tehran province |
| 2010 | This House Is Safe | Yes | Yes | Art field of Tehran province |
| 2009 | P6 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2008 | Chain of Enthusiasm | Yes | Yes | Ali Dehbashi |

## Notable works
### Silence

This short film was directed and written by Maryam Pirpand. It was nominated in 6 national and international film festivals. She won ″Best Female Director Award″ at Action On Film International Film Festival for Directing.

### Dance with me

This short film also was directed and written by Maryam Pirband. It was nominated in 8 national and international film festivals such as 2012 Cannes Film Festival and Duhok International Film Festival.