Mani Nickpour is a Dutch-Iranian filmmaker from Amsterdam. Born in Tehran in 1983, he discovered cinema early through his father, filmmaker Saeid Nickpour. At seven, Mani appeared in one of his father’s films, an experience that sparked his lifelong commitment to storytelling through images. In 1990, he moved with his mother and brother to Amsterdam, where his father later joined them.

Since 2007, Mani has been teaching filmmaking in Amsterdam, sharing his expertise in directing, camera techniques, editing, and compositing with students from around the world. He has taught at institutions such as the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and, for over 18 years, at Open Studio. As of September 2025, he also teaches at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he leads courses such as Korte Docus Maken. Alongside teaching, he runs his audiovisual company HADOKEN, producing TV commercials and corporate films.

In 2008, Mani broadened his craft in New York, studying directing actors with Lenore Dekoven. His fascination with ancient symbolism and mythology continues to shape his storytelling and visual style.

Mani’s debut feature, Death Before Dying (2023), marked his arrival as a filmmaker. His short Yume (夢) followed, and in 2025 he directed his second feature, Dream Machine, which won Best Fantasy Film at the Kanazawa Film Festival.

He is currently developing several new projects, committed to deepening his exploration of myth, dream, and image through cinema.