Soheil Beiraghi

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Soheil Beiraghi is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and producer. Born on October 16, 1986, in Shahreza, Iran, he has become known for three feature films: I (Me) (2016), Cold Sweat (2018), and Popular (2020). He began writing and making work as a teen and later built a career first as an assistant director before directing his own movies.

Biography in brief
- Beiraghi grew up in Shahreza and started writing at around age 12, publishing short pieces in magazines. He published a short story in Haft magazine and, by 16, wrote a screenplay that helped launch his early career. He made his first short film at 18.
- In 2005 he left industrial engineering to pursue filmmaking, working for about a decade as an assistant director and planner. He collaborated with notable Iranian filmmakers including Varuzh Karim-Masihi, Rasool Sadr Ameli, Hassan Fathi, Abdolreza Kahani, and Bahram Tavakoli.
- In 2012 he shifted toward theatre, writing and directing the play Pit (Chaleh), which was staged in Tehran and other cities and enjoyed a long run.

Themes and style
- Beiraghi is known for working largely outside of state institutions, focusing on independent storytelling. His films often center on women who fight for their rights and navigate difficult social circumstances. He frequently explores power, free will, and how his characters pursue justice, sometimes prompting debate over feminist themes.
- He has described his work as honest storytelling rather than advocacy for a specific movement. He also notes that his three drama films have a shared sense of feminine noir, a trilogy that came together organically rather than through preplanning.

Directing works
- I (Me) (2016): Beiraghi’s first feature film, created when he was 28. It was a box-office success in Iran and received critical praise for its fresh take on social issues, its structure of interwoven subplots, and Leila Hatami’s performance as a clever, principled protagonist. The film also featured Amir Jadidi, Mani Haghighi, and Behnoush Bakhtiari.
- Cold Sweat (2018): His second feature, about Afrooz Ardestani, the captain of Iran’s women’s national football team, who fights for her right to play and travel abroad against her husband’s objections. Baran Kosari’s leading performance drew wide attention. The film received extensive coverage and was nominated for many awards, winning several at the Fajr International Film Festival, including Best Actor (Amir Jadidi), Best Supporting Actress (Sahar Dolatshahi), and Best Film Editing (Bahram Dehghani & Mohammad Najarian).
- Popular (2020): Beiraghi’s third feature, a continuation of his focus on women’s issues. It follows a middle-aged woman who, after a divorce, tries to start a new life in a small town. Fatemeh Motamed-Arya led the cast, with Baran Kosari and Hootan Shakiba in supporting roles. The film’s release was affected by COVID-19 and was postponed in some places.

Film production and other work
- In 2020 Beiraghi produced Popular, marking his move into producing and the creation of Alef Pictures, a company aimed at supporting independent films.
- He served on the jury at the 29th Stockholm International Film Festival in 2018.

Controversies and reception
- Beiraghi’s films have sometimes sparked controversy in Iran. For I (Me), IRIB reportedly refused to broadcast the teaser, and Mashhad’s screening at the 34th Fajr Festival was cancelled due to local decisions.
- Cold Sweat also faced pushback: in 2018 the Art Department banned its public screening in many theatres despite initial plans, and the film’s teaser was sometimes blocked by state media. Protests and supportive coverage from critics and some filmmakers accompanied the controversy.
- The debates around Cold Sweat touched on issues of gender and sports, with some critics arguing the film took a Western lens on Iranian life, while others praised its maturity and social relevance. Beiraghi has defended his approach, stating he aims to tell truthful stories rather than make propaganda for or against any group.

Current status
- Beiraghi continues to work as a filmmaker and producer, developing independent projects through Alef Pictures. He remains an influential voice in contemporary Iranian cinema, recognized for his focus on women’s experiences and his willingness to explore controversial topics through a distinct, minimalist style.