Mahdokht Molaei

Mahdokht Molaei
مهدخت مولایی
Mahdokht Molaei at the 2020 Fajr Film Festival
Born (1990-04-21) April 21, 1990
Alma materEmerson College
OccupationsActress, director, producer
Years active2010–present
Notable workBotox (2020)
Websitemahdokhtmolaei.com

Mahdokht Molaei (Persian: مهدخت مولایی; born April 21, 1990) is an Iranian actress, film director, and producer.[1] She is known for her work in independent and international cinema, with notable roles in Botax (2020), Lily’s Turn (2022), and The Castle (2018).[2] Molaei has been recognized at several international film festivals.

Early life and education

Molaei was born in Tehran, Iran, on April 21, 1990. She began her artistic career in 2010 and has since established herself in various aspects of filmmaking including acting, directing, and producing.[3] In addition to her work in film, she serves as a mentor at Maajara Film School[4] and is a recipient of Emerson College's Presidential Fellowship.[5] She is pursuing an MFA degree in filmmaking at Emerson College.

Career

Molaei's directorial debut, They Are Looking at Us (2016), received an Honorary Diploma from Pasargad Bank 180 second film festival.[6] Her performance in Botax earned her nominations at the Shanghai International Film Festival,[7] and the Nice International Film Festival.

She has participated in numerous national and international productions, often portraying complex female characters. Her recent film, Homa, has been screened at international festivals including IAWRT India.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2016 They Are Looking at Us Director and producer
2016 Inadaptable Sara
2016 Duet Shahrzad
2016 Daughter Pouneh
2017 Villa Dwellers Nadereh
2018 Black Eared Mahtab Co-producer and co-writer
2020 Botox Azar [7]
2020 Killer Spider Victim
2022 Lily’s Turn Termeh
2022 Polaroid Sepideh
2023 The Black Sheep Maryam
2024 Sina Co-director and lead role
2025 Remove Before Use Mahya

Television

Year Title Role Network
2019 Quiet Assassination Nava IRIB TV1
2023 Shahbaz Najva IRIB TV1

Awards and recognition

  • 2020 – Winner – Best Actress, The Castle, BIMIFF[9]
  • 2021 – Nominee – Best Actress, Botox, Shanghai International Film Festival[7]
  • 2024 – Honorary Diploma – Best Actress, Inherited, Nahal Short Film Festival, Iran
  • 2023 – Nominee – Best Actress, Polaroid, Omid International Film Festival
  • 2025 – Nominee – Best Actress, The Last Whinny…, Open Air Film Festival

References

  1. ^ "گفتگوی ردکات با مهدخت مولایی در مورد فیلم کوتاهش هما" [Interview with Mahdokht Molaei]. Redcut Collective (in Persian).
  2. ^ "Mahdokht Molaei's Biography"". Salam Donya (in Persian).
  3. ^ "Interview with Mahdokht Molaei"". Ana news agency (in Persian).
  4. ^ "Mahdokht Molaei mentorship"". Maajara film school (in Persian).
  5. ^ "Graduate and Professional Studies Fall 2024"". Emerson College.
  6. ^ "Pasargad Bank 180 second film festival's winners". ISNA (in Persian).
  7. ^ a b c Young, Debrorah (June 17, 2021). "'Botox': Film Review, Shanghai 2021". The Hollywood Reporter (film review).
  8. ^ "IAWRT India Festival - Homa". IAWRT India Festival.
  9. ^ "Brazilian festival awards Iranian 'The Castle'". ifilm (in Persian).