Jafar Panahi

Panahi made news recently for his release from Iranian prison after a hunger strike. The director made history in 1995 by winning the Caméra d'Or (best first feature film) at Cannes, making Panahi the first Iranian to win a major award at Cannes. He has since gone on to go on making classics like The Mirror, Offsides, This is Not a Film, Taxi, and most recently No Bears. His progressive films have often been banned by the Iranian government. His work is a testament to the power and love of filmmaking.