Is Jafar Panahi A-List?
NoC
No — Jafar Panahi is currently ranked C tier — recognizable within their niche but with limited mainstream visibility.
Ranking Timeline
1995C$0.01M
The White Balloon
Gains international recognition with his debut feature film.
2000C$0.1M+$0.09000000000000001M
The Circle
Wins the Golden Lion at Venice, establishing his critical acclaim.
2006C$0.3M+$0.19999999999999998M
Offside
Explores themes of gender and social restrictions.
2010C$0.4M+$0.10000000000000003M
Filmmaking Ban
Is arrested and banned from filmmaking in Iran.
2011C$0.5M+$0.09999999999999998M
This Is Not a Film
Secretly directs a film that is smuggled out of Iran.
2015C$0.7M+$0.19999999999999996M
Taxi
Wins the Golden Bear at Berlin for his film Taxi.
2022C$0.8M+$0.10000000000000009M
Arrested Again
Jafar Panahi is arrested again in Iran.
2026C$1M+$0.19999999999999996M
Defiant Filmmaker
Continues to be known for his resilience in the face of censorship.
Last updated: February 21, 2026