Houston Iranian Film Festival

Each January since 1993, film lovers have gathered at the Museum to experience the best new Iranian cinema. Over the years the selections have expanded to spotlight the Persian diaspora, with films made by emerging and established directors working in Iran as well as around the world. This festival’s enthusiastic audiences now include multiple generations of Houstonians. MFAH Films proudly welcomes all who have attended, as well as their children and grandchildren.

Now in its 24th year, the festival (January 20–24 at the MFAH; January 25 at Rice Cinema) presents films provided by distributors and filmmakers based in Tehran, Canada, and the U.S. The lineup features entertaining, inspiring, and touching films in multiple genres, including comedy, drama, documentary, and animation. Among the familiar actors in this year’s selections are Leila Hatami; Shahab Hosseini, named best actor at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival; and Niki Karimi, a guest in 2004. The festival also honors influential filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, who died in July.

Festival Ticket Prices
General admission is $10. MFAH members, students with ID, and seniors (65+) receive a $2 discount.

Generous funding is provided by the ILEX Foundation.

Additional support is provided by the Society of Iranian-American Women for Education (SIAWE) and the Iranian Cultural Foundation-Houston.
MFAH, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Past Events in This Series

Houston Iranian Film Festival 2017
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2016
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2015
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2014
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2013
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2012
Houston Iranian Film Festival 2011