Babak Payami
Babak Payami
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Born in Tehran, Babak Payami's diverse background and international experiences have shaped his unique cinematic perspective. From a maternal background originating in Baku, Azerbaijan and his paternal roots in Tehran for over seven generations, Payami grew up across the culturally rich landscapes of Iran and Afghanistan. Payami's journey through historic developments in both countries during the late 1970's eventually led him to Europe and Canada, where he later became a citizen.
During the early 1990s, Payami pursued his passion for cinema at the University of Toronto, immersing himself in the art of storytelling on film. Amidst his academic pursuits, he balanced his roles as a translator and court interpreter, as well as delving into the realm of software design and development, crafting innovative industrial and manufacturing solutions with a keen interest in the gestation of video and digital editing. Payami's membership at the Hart House Film Board Executive committee sharpened his childhood passion for cinema and filmmaking.
In 1998, Payami's artistic journey took a pivotal turn as he returned to his homeland, Iran. He authored, produced, and directed his debut feature film, "One More Day" that premiered in the official Panorama Special program at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival. His first cinematic venture garnered him further recognition across borders, winning the Best Artistic Contribution Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Payami partnered with Marco Mueller to realize his second feature, "Secret Ballot" under the auspices of Fabrica, a United Colors of Benetton Communications Arts institute in Treviso, Italy. Secret Ballot was invited to the official selection of the 2001 Venice International Film Festival, where it earned several accolades and affirmed Payami's position as an international filmmaker, culminating in the prestigious Best Director award.
In 2002, Payami embarked on an ambitious project, "Silence Between Two Thoughts," an odyssey that saw him journeying to remote corners of eastern Iran, near the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan during the post 9/11 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The film's production posed challenges, enduring a rigorous 73-day shoot over nine months. Despite these hardships, the film bore the imprint of Payami's unwavering dedication. However, this creative venture was marred by the intervention of Islamic Republic authorities during the editing process leading to his arrest and the confiscation of the film's original material. Payami's indomitable spirit led him to digitally reconstruct the film, preserving its essence, and presenting it to the world at the Venice International Film Festival in 2003.
Following his exile, Payami's passion for filmmaking took him across continents. He taught directing at the Ludwigsburg Film Academy in Germany and facilitated workshops in Italy and Canada, nurturing aspiring filmmakers. He returned to Fabrica as its Media Studio creative director where he mentored young artists to create compelling documentary projects and other audio-visual creative undertakings.
Since 2012, Payami's boundless creativity has found a home as the Artistic Director of the Iranian-Canadian Centre for the Arts, serving as a guiding force for the renowned Tirgan Festival, a global celebration of Iranian arts and culture.
In 2015, Payami's passion for humanitarian themes on child labour led him to animation as he co-wrote and co-directed the animated feature "Iqbal, The Story of a Fearless Child".
In 2017 Payami directed and co-produced "Manhattan Undying," a romantic drama that sees the intertwining of immortal longing and artistic vision. The film's global release by Paramount Pictures and e-One in cemented Payami's reputation as a filmmaker with universal resonance.
In January 2020, Payami was called upon to help the families of flight PS752 victims within hours after the tragic downing of the airliner by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards of Iran. Alongside other humanitarian activities, Babak Payami embarked on a 28 month journey with Dr. Hamed Esmaeilion who lost his wife and daughter aboard the flight. His feature-length documentary titled "752 Is Not A Number" premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and following its theatrical release, it was launched globally on streaming platforms.
As his journey continues, Payami's creative ventures emphasize his diverse abilities as a filmmaker. His current projects include Payami's screen adaptation of Canadian author Linden MacIntyre's novel, "The Bishop's Man," promising yet another enthralling chapter in his cinematic legacy. His original screenplay "Mina" that is in development follow his lifeline commitment to women's rights in Iran.
Other projects in development by Babak Payami and his Payam Films production company include another adaptation from a powerful novel by Kirghiz author Chingiz Aitmatov and a mini-series concept relating to his maternal roots in Baku and based on true life stories titled; "The Enchanted Wanderer".
During the early 1990s, Payami pursued his passion for cinema at the University of Toronto, immersing himself in the art of storytelling on film. Amidst his academic pursuits, he balanced his roles as a translator and court interpreter, as well as delving into the realm of software design and development, crafting innovative industrial and manufacturing solutions with a keen interest in the gestation of video and digital editing. Payami's membership at the Hart House Film Board Executive committee sharpened his childhood passion for cinema and filmmaking.
In 1998, Payami's artistic journey took a pivotal turn as he returned to his homeland, Iran. He authored, produced, and directed his debut feature film, "One More Day" that premiered in the official Panorama Special program at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival. His first cinematic venture garnered him further recognition across borders, winning the Best Artistic Contribution Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Payami partnered with Marco Mueller to realize his second feature, "Secret Ballot" under the auspices of Fabrica, a United Colors of Benetton Communications Arts institute in Treviso, Italy. Secret Ballot was invited to the official selection of the 2001 Venice International Film Festival, where it earned several accolades and affirmed Payami's position as an international filmmaker, culminating in the prestigious Best Director award.
In 2002, Payami embarked on an ambitious project, "Silence Between Two Thoughts," an odyssey that saw him journeying to remote corners of eastern Iran, near the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan during the post 9/11 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The film's production posed challenges, enduring a rigorous 73-day shoot over nine months. Despite these hardships, the film bore the imprint of Payami's unwavering dedication. However, this creative venture was marred by the intervention of Islamic Republic authorities during the editing process leading to his arrest and the confiscation of the film's original material. Payami's indomitable spirit led him to digitally reconstruct the film, preserving its essence, and presenting it to the world at the Venice International Film Festival in 2003.
Following his exile, Payami's passion for filmmaking took him across continents. He taught directing at the Ludwigsburg Film Academy in Germany and facilitated workshops in Italy and Canada, nurturing aspiring filmmakers. He returned to Fabrica as its Media Studio creative director where he mentored young artists to create compelling documentary projects and other audio-visual creative undertakings.
Since 2012, Payami's boundless creativity has found a home as the Artistic Director of the Iranian-Canadian Centre for the Arts, serving as a guiding force for the renowned Tirgan Festival, a global celebration of Iranian arts and culture.
In 2015, Payami's passion for humanitarian themes on child labour led him to animation as he co-wrote and co-directed the animated feature "Iqbal, The Story of a Fearless Child".
In 2017 Payami directed and co-produced "Manhattan Undying," a romantic drama that sees the intertwining of immortal longing and artistic vision. The film's global release by Paramount Pictures and e-One in cemented Payami's reputation as a filmmaker with universal resonance.
In January 2020, Payami was called upon to help the families of flight PS752 victims within hours after the tragic downing of the airliner by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards of Iran. Alongside other humanitarian activities, Babak Payami embarked on a 28 month journey with Dr. Hamed Esmaeilion who lost his wife and daughter aboard the flight. His feature-length documentary titled "752 Is Not A Number" premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and following its theatrical release, it was launched globally on streaming platforms.
As his journey continues, Payami's creative ventures emphasize his diverse abilities as a filmmaker. His current projects include Payami's screen adaptation of Canadian author Linden MacIntyre's novel, "The Bishop's Man," promising yet another enthralling chapter in his cinematic legacy. His original screenplay "Mina" that is in development follow his lifeline commitment to women's rights in Iran.
Other projects in development by Babak Payami and his Payam Films production company include another adaptation from a powerful novel by Kirghiz author Chingiz Aitmatov and a mini-series concept relating to his maternal roots in Baku and based on true life stories titled; "The Enchanted Wanderer".
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