Director: Ali ASGARI

Ali Asgari is one of the leading voices of contemporary Iranian cinema. His films explore the lives of individuals confronted by the social, political, and institutional pressures of contemporary Iran, often revealing how private acts of resistance emerge within ordinary life. His short films competed at Cannes and Venice. His debut feature, Disappearance(2017), developed at the Cannes Cinéfondation Residency, premiered at Venice. Until Tomorrow (2022) premiered at the Berlinale, and Terrestrial Verses (2023) premiered at Cannes' Un Certain Regard section. It was later released in over ten territories, drawing more than 100,000 admissions in France. His hybrid feature Higher Than Acidic Clouds(2024) premiered in IDFA's Envision Competition, followed by Divine Comedy (2025) in Venice's Orizzonti section. His latest feature, A Bit of Light, made during the recent war,will premiere in Venice's Main Competition. Asgari has served as a jury member at Cannes, Venice, and Zurich.