Nima Asgari is a renowned Iranian filmmaker and environmentalist with a degree in Environment and Natural Resources. He honed his filmmaking skills at the Iranian Youth Cinema Association, one of the country’s most esteemed institutions for training filmmakers. Since 2010, he has been an integral part of the Wildlife Pictures Institute, a platform dedicated to documenting Iran’s rich biodiversity and advocating for the conservation of endangered species.
Asgari began his career in 2007 with the Iranian Cheetah Society, where he worked as a researcher and cinematographer, focusing on rare and vulnerable species such as the Asiatic cheetah, the great bustard, the Persian onager, and the houbara bustard. Through his work at the Wildlife Pictures Institute, he has produced numerous documentaries that explore these species in their natural habitats, offering audiences a unique insight into the challenges of wildlife conservation in Iran.
Most of Nima’s films delve into the intricate relationship between human societies and nature, emphasizing the devastating impact of human activities on wildlife extinction. Over the course of his career, he has directed and produced more than 30 documentary films, earning over a dozen international awards. His critically acclaimed films Ranger and Leopard (2018) and Houbara (2022) have garnered widespread recognition, including the Grand Prix and Best Director awards at the Matsalu Nature Film Festival in Estonia. In addition, his film Ranger and Leopard was awarded at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival (2018) and earned him the Best Director title at Iran’s prestigious Cinema Verite Film Festival in the same year.
Awards
Best Film (Human and Nature) – Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, USA (2017) for Ranger and Leopard
Best Independent Production – Green Screen Film Festival, Germany (2018) for Ranger and Leopard
Best Film – Gran Paradiso Film Festival, Italy (2018) for Ranger and Leopard
Best Director – Cinema Verité Festival, Iran (2018) for Ranger and Leopard
Grand Prize & Best Director – Matsalu Nature Film Festival, Estonia (2022) for Houbara
