Tahmineh Milani

Tahmineh Milāni (; born 1960) is an Iranian feminist activist, and film director and producer.

Early career She was born in 1960 in Tabriz, Iran. After graduating in architecture

Directing career Milani's directing career has produced award-winning films, such as Two Women, The 5th Reaction, and The Unwanted Woman. A backlash from many world-famous directors including Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese caused the government to release her after two weeks, but official charges were never dropped.

Milani's 2005 film Unwanted Woman tells the story of a woman forced to cover up a journey with her friend because of a law banning travel for unmarried couples. Vakonesh Panjom (The Fifth Reaction) is the story of a woman who leaves her wealth, home, and children after the death of her husband. The Fifth Reaction, released in 2003, is Tahmineh Milani's seventh movie regarding women's social position and rights in a patriarchal society. For example, in Vakonesh Panjom (The Fifth Reaction), Milani addresses the problems of sexism, social inequality and injustice, and mainly laws ignoring women's rights in child custody cases, to awaken women and to inspire them to fight for their rights. While often exaggerated for cinema-goers, the films' topics draw clear parallels to life in a theocratic Iran.

In 2007, Milani announced that she was going to make an AIDS-focused TV series for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting with the title The Positive Pals Club .

Her film Yeki Az Mā Do Nafar (One of Our Two) screened in Iranian halls in 2011. She wrote and directed the film Principles, which was criticized as stilted and preachy.

In 2016, Milani presented an exhibition of photography at the Ariana Gallery in Tehran.

Accusations of plagiarism In September 2018, following an exhibition of Milani's paintings at an art gallery in Tehran, accusations emerged on social media accusing Milani of plagiarizing Russian illustrator Jenny Meilihove. In response, Milani offered an apology The Supervisory Council for Gallery Activities issued an official warning to the gallery, and stated "Ariana Gallery has not properly observed professional regulations in ascertaining the authenticity and quality of the artworks".

Personal life She is married to Iranian actor and producer Mohammad Nikbin.

On 3 February 2026, Milani was among several figures in the Iranian film industry who signed a statement supporting the 2025–2026 Iranian protests and condemning the government's response to them.

Filmography (Zan-e Ziyādi)Director 2001Nimeh-ye Penhān (The Legend of Sigh)Director 1989Bachche-hā-ye Talāgh (Children of Divorce)Director

Awards and nominations