Babak Anvari

Babak Anvari, born around the year 1982 or 1983, is a British-Iranian filmmaker known for his expertise in the realm of horror. Initially starting his life in Tehran, Iran, Babak grew up during tumultuous times which included the Iran–Iraq War and the Iranian Cultural Revolution. These experiences had a deep impact on him and his older brother, and Anvari makes reference to them affecting their sleep and causing fear of the dark. Babak's career kicked off in 2016 when he made his directorial debut with the horror film 'Under the Shadow.' The film received significant attention and accolades, including a submission for an Oscar nomination by the United Kingdom. It was also nominated for six British Independent Film Awards, winning three and procuring the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut. More success followed in 2019, with Anvari's follow-up film 'Wounds,' which boasted a stellar cast including Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, and Zazie Beetz. The film was met with interest and screened at the Sundance Film Festival. More recently, Anvari has been undertaking new projects. In September 2022, he was announced as the director for an upcoming Cloverfield film, and in November 2023, production began on 'Hallow Road,' featuring Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys. Beyond his professional life, Anvari lends his voice to social causes. In October 2022, he wrote an open letter urging the entertainment industry to support the voice of the Mahsa Amini protesters in Iran.