Navid Nikkhah Azad

Directing

Born December 7, 1982 · Tehran, Iran

Navid Nikkhah Azad, an Iranian political asylum seeker residing in the Netherlands, has a diverse professional background as a Film Director, Critic, and Journalist. His work in directing has been recognized, boasting multiple award-winning films showcased across more than 300 international film festivals. Navid Nikkhah Azad is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ). One of his notable works includes the short film 'The Recess' (2021), which portrays the tragic story of the Iranian football fan, Sahar Khodayari, also known as Blue Girl. This film has garnered over 160 international selections and 30 awards. In November 2023, Navid Nikkhah Azad fled to the Netherlands after producing "No End," a film scrutinizing the Iranian government and its leader Ali Khamenei. Concerned about facing imprisonment, torture, or worse, he sought political asylum in the Netherlands for safety and protection.