Mani Nickpour

Mani Nickpour is a Dutch-Iranian filmmaker and film educator based in Amsterdam. Born in Tehran in 1983, he was introduced to cinema at an early age through his father, filmmaker Saeid Nickpour.

At the age of seven, he appeared in one of his father’s films, an experience that sparked his lifelong dedication to storytelling through images. In 1990, he moved with his family to Amsterdam.

Mani Nickpour as a child, in costume on a film set

Mani Nickpour as a child, standing in the snow

As a child, playing in one of his father’s films.

Since 2007, Mani has been teaching filmmaking, with a focus on directing, camera work, editing, and compositing. He has taught at institutions including the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and Open Studio Amsterdam. He also teaches at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he gives the course Making Short Documentaries. Alongside his teaching practice, he runs his audiovisual company HADOKEN, producing commercials and corporate films.

In 2008, Mani expanded his practice in New York, studying directing actors with Lenore DeKoven.

Mani Nickpour with his father Saeid Nickpour beside a vintage film projector — With his father, filmmaker Saeid Nickpour.

His work is shaped by a fascination with mythology, symbolism, and the language of dreams, elements that continue to inform his visual storytelling.

His debut feature film Death Before Dying (2023) received several awards at international film festivals. He later directed Dream Machine (2024), which received the award for Best Fantasy Film at the Kanazawa Film Festival. His short film Abyss Interface (2026), a Japanese production, is currently on the international festival circuit.

Festivals & awards

Mani Nickpour holding the Septimius Award — At the Septimius Awards, where Death Before Dying won.

Mani Nickpour in front of the Kanazawa Film Festival 2023 posters

Mani Nickpour on stage during a Q&A at the Kanazawa Film Festival

Kanazawa Film Festival, Japan: screening of Death Before Dying and a Q&A with the audience (2023).

Mani Nickpour receiving the Septimius Award for AHRIMAN: Death Before Dying, with the film's festival laurels — Death Before Dying: winner at The Fantasy Film Festival, BonDance International Film Festival, Phenomena Festival Brazil 2023 (Best Feature Film) and the Septimius Awards, and Choice of Kanazawa 2023.

Mani Nickpour with the Septimius Award and members of the film team — With the team at the Septimius Awards.

Mani Nickpour on the red carpet at the Septimius Awards

Mani Nickpour celebrating with the team after the Septimius Award was announced

On the red carpet, and the moment the award was announced.

Mani Nickpour embraced by the team in the audience at the Septimius Awards

Current project

Filmmaking workshops

Currently, Mani Nickpour is developing an international film education project focused on cultural exchange between the Netherlands and Japan.

As part of this initiative, he will conduct a series of filmmaking workshops in Japan. The workshops guide participants through the complete process of creating short documentary and fiction films, from concept to final edit.

The project also includes an exchange between students in the Netherlands and Japan. Mani will present films created by his students in Amsterdam to participants in Japan, and bring the work of Japanese students back to the Netherlands, creating a dialogue between different cultural perspectives and approaches to filmmaking.

The workshops are designed to be accessible, with the aim of encouraging creative exchange.

Courses

Film courses with Mani

If you are interested in taking film courses with Mani Nickpour, you can explore his current teaching programs here.

All courses & workshops →

Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamMaking Short DocumentariesView course →Open Studio AmsterdamEducation programsView course →JapanFilm Course TokyoView course →Gran CanariaFilmmaking workshopView course →

Mani teaching camera settings at a whiteboard

Mani helping a student with editing software

Mani Nickpour teaching video editing in Premiere Pro at a whiteboard — Teaching video editing in class.

Media & interviews

In the press

A selection of interviews and profiles offering insight into Mani Nickpour’s artistic practice, personal journey, and work in film.

NRCInterview, 2026Read →Het ParoolFather and son: Saeid and ManiRead →ADProfileRead →Cinemarche (Japan)Interview, Kanazawa Film Festival 2023Read →Mystieke School7 hermetische vragenRead →

Mani Nickpour interviewed at the Septimius Awards — Interview at the Septimius Awards.

Mani Nickpour on stage holding an award — Accepting an award for Death Before Dying.

Earlier work · 2006

Iranian Intergalactic Music Festival

In 2006, together with Sholeh Zahraei, Mani organised the Iranian Intergalactic Music Festival: a 12-hour festival in Zaandam, the Netherlands, on 22 October 2006, for underground Iranian musicians whose metal, rap and progressive rock could not be played openly in Iran. Funded by Hivos, the Dutch human rights and social justice organisation, it was the first festival of its kind, bringing around twelve alternative bands and artists from Iran and Europe to one stage, among them the rock band Hypernova.