Born in Iran and moved to Denmark as a young child, Naghmeh is a director whose unique background colours much of her work. After studying English and Scriptwriting at the University of Southern Denmark, she moved to Copenhagen where she’s based now and became a director’s assistant, learning from some of the industry’s most notable directors. Her connection to Iran runs deep in her work – taking inspiration from the poetic realism and political commentary of Iranian cinema.
Her debut film for fashion brand Pairi Daeza, “Iran-e Man”, premiered on Nowness in 2023 and was celebrated immensely by the industry, picking up two pencils at D&AD, the film craft Grand Prix at Eurobest alongside three more medals, two Cannes lions, a Shots Director of the Year award, and three Young Director Awards. The film speaks towards the Iranian Women’s Rights Movement with profound symbolism – both reflecting the struggle and celebrating the power of the movement and Iranian women themselves.
Her latest Nowness film one year later, Nowruz, is just as well a celebration of her birth country as Iran-e Man but this time, instead of a shared pain, the film is painted with a shared joy. The film is a beautifully captured visualisation of the traditions and meaning of Nowruz - the Persian New Year.