Mitra Farahani (Persian: میترا فراهانی, (born 1975,[1] Tehran) is an internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and painter who lives in Paris.
She was arrested on June 17, 2009 by the Iranian government, on her arrival in Tehran from Paris and held in Evin prison. It is said that her arrest is linked to the crackdown of opposition by the Iranian regime following the presidential election and also making the regime angry by making some non-Islamic films outside Iran.[2][3]
The Iranian government released her from prison on 30 June.[2] However, she is not able to leave the country and may have to face trial.
Mitra has directed several films including Ziarat (2005), Just a Woman (2002) and Tabous - Zohre & Manouchehr (2004).[4]
Her "Just a Woman" film won a Teddy Award in 2002.