Mani Haghighi, a cinematic visionary, came into this world in 1969, specifically in the vibrant city of Tehran, Iran. Following his academic pursuits in philosophy at the esteemed McGill University in Montreal, he felt an insatiable urge to explore the realm of cinema. This innate passion ultimately led him to return to his native Iran, where he dedicated himself to the art of filmmaking. Haghighi's inaugural feature film, Abadan, made a resounding debut at the illustrious Tribeca Film Festival, a testament to his exceptional storytelling prowess and unwavering dedication to his craft.
Noted Iranian screenwriter, Haghighi, shared the spotlight with acclaimed director Asghar Farhadi, co-authoring the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film, Fireworks Wednesday. This collaborative effort earned the Special Jury Prize at the prestigious Three Continents Festival in Nantes, a testament to the duo's exceptional storytelling abilities.
Building on this success, Haghighi's sophomore feature film, Men at Work, made its debut at the Berlinale Forum in 2006, garnering significant attention and acclaim. The film's screenplay would go on to receive numerous accolades, including the Best Screenplay Prize at the 2007 Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, as well as the Best Screenplay Prize in the international section of the Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, solidifying Haghighi's reputation as a talented and innovative screenwriter.
Canaan, Haghighi's forthcoming feature film, was meticulously crafted after being inspired by a captivating short story penned by the celebrated author, Alice Munro. Following this creative endeavor, Haghighi ventured into the realm of documentary filmmaking, embarking on a journey to explore the remarkable works of the esteemed Iranian director, Dariush Mehrjui.
In 2007, Haghighi released Hamoon's Fans, a documentary that delved into the lives of six Iranians who are ardently devoted to Mehrjui's 1989 cinematic masterpiece, "Hamoon". This intimate portrayal offered a glimpse into the profound impact that Mehrjui's work has had on the lives of these dedicated fans.
Years later, in 2012, Haghighi released a feature-length documentary, Dariush Mehrjui: The Forty Year Report, which provided an in-depth examination of Mehrjui's life and professional journey. This comprehensive documentary served as a testament to Haghighi's unwavering dedication to exploring the intricacies of Mehrjui's work and its lasting influence on the world of cinema.
Haghighi's fourth feature film, titled Modest Reception, made a grand entrance at the prestigious Berlinale Forum in the year 2012, garnering widespread critical acclaim and admiration. As a result, the film received a plethora of prestigious accolades, including the esteemed NETPAC Award at the renowned Berlin Film Festival. Additionally, Modest Reception went on to win the coveted Free Spirit Award at the esteemed Warsaw Film Festival, as well as numerous other international prizes, solidifying its status as a standout in the world of cinema.
The film's impressive awards haul did not stop there, as it also took home the top honors for Best Actor and Best Actress at the highly respected OSIAN's Cinefan Festival in New Delhi, a testament to the outstanding performances delivered by the cast.
Not only has Haghighi made a name for himself as a filmmaker, but he has also ventured into acting, making appearances in several cinematic productions.
One of his most notable acting credits is in Asghar Farhadi's critically acclaimed film About Elly, which premiered at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival in 2009.
In 2014, Haghighi could be seen on the big screen in Nima Javidi's Melbourne.
Furthermore, Haghighi has also showcased his skills as a filmmaker by directing his own feature film, Modest Reception, which has garnered significant attention in the film industry.
