Person Biography:
Babak Payami was born in Tehran, Iran, to a culturally rich and diverse family with roots in Baku, Azerbaijan, and seven generations of paternal lineage in Tehran. Growing up amidst the historic developments in Iran and Afghanistan during the late 1970s, Payami's experiences shaped his unique cinematic perspective.
Pursuing his passion for cinema at the University of Toronto, Payami immersed himself in storytelling while balancing roles as a translator, court interpreter, and software designer. His involvement with the Hart House Film Board Executive Committee further sharpened his passion for filmmaking.
Payami's debut feature film, "One More Day," premiered at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival and won the Best Artistic Contribution Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. His second feature, "Secret Ballot," earned accolades at the 2001 Venice International Film Festival, including the Best Director award.
Payami's filmmaking journey has taken him across continents, teaching directing at the Ludwigsburg Film Academy in Germany, conducting workshops in Italy and Canada, and mentoring young artists at Fabrica's Media Studio. He has also served as the Artistic Director of the Iranian-Canadian Centre for the Arts and co-written/co-directed the animated feature "Iqbal, The Story of a Fearless Child."
Recent projects include the romantic drama "Manhattan Undying," and the feature-length documentary "752 Is Not a Number," which premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Payami is currently working on a screen adaptation of Linden MacIntyre's novel "The Bishop's Man" and his original screenplay "Confession Game," reflecting his lifelong commitment to women's rights in Iran.
