Amina Maher

Amina Maher (b. Tehran, 1992) is a trans woman Iranian refugee filmmaker whose works deal with themes of social taboos and non-normative narratives in relation to violence and power structure. Her cinematic activity began as the main protagonist of the film Ten (2002) by Abbas Kiarostami, nominated for the Palmedór at Cannes 2002. She was recorded without her knowledge. She was one of the main actors in the film "10+4", which premiered at Cannes Film Festival Acid Section and San Sebastian Film Festival in 2006. Her short film, Letter to My Mother (20Min 2019), has received worldwide attention with +200 Festival Selections and +50 Awards. Her film navigates the vast yet fragile space between self-exploration and family politics within a sociocultural frame. Maher's interdisciplinary artworks train her unblinking gaze on the breakdown of family structure, shame culture, and patriarchal myths. Her first feature film has been part of FID Lab Marseille Forum and Dok Fest München Forum in 2022. Maher creates art, love, and joy out of the pain and dark experiences of abuse and violence.