In Search for the Persian Leopard (2011)

A film by:

In Search for the Persian Leopard (2011)

“A Six-Year Journey to Capture the Elusive Persian Leopard”

In Search of the Persian Leopard captures the relentless pursuit of a dedicated team of researchers and filmmakers led by Fathollah Amiri, as they embark on a six-year journey through the rugged Alborz Mountains to document the rare and endangered Persian leopard. Battling harsh terrain, isolation, and the challenge of locating a creature on the brink of extinction, their mission is driven by a deep love for Iran’s wildlife and an urgent need to protect it.

This breathtaking documentary goes beyond wildlife observation—it’s a story of passion and perseverance, capturing rare glimpses of a majestic predator whose existence hangs by a thread. As the team edges closer to success, a sudden, unforeseen crisis threatens to undo everything they’ve sacrificed for.

In a powerful narrative filled with suspense and raw beauty, In Search of the Persian Leopard reminds us of the fragility of nature and the unwavering determination of those fighting to save it. This is more than a film—it’s a call to action, a tribute to nature’s resilience, and a testament to the spirit of discovery.

International Fadjr Film Festival
Tehran
Iran, Islamic Republic of
February 9, 2012
Crystal Simorq for the Best Documentary Film

 

Jahorina International Film Festival
Bosnia and Herzegovina
September 30, 2012
The Silver Genian Prize for the Best Environmental Documentary Film

 

Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
New York
United States
September 24, 2015
The Best Foreign Feature Film

 

12th Tegernsee Mountain Film Festival
Munich
Germany
October 23, 2014
The Best Mountain Film

 

International Cinema Verite Film Festival
Tehran
Iran, Islamic Republic of
December 14, 2012
The Best Feature Environment Film

 

XVII International TV Festival Bar
Montenegro
October 26, 2012
Official Selection

 

9th Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival
Doha
Qatar
April 21, 2012
Official Selection

 

Ekotop Film Festival
Slovakia
December 14, 2012
Official Selection

 

Sunchild Environmental Film Festival
Yerevan
Armenia
December 14, 2013
Official Selection

Trailer

Gallery and News

In search for Persian leopard poster

Director

Fathollah Amiri is a highly acclaimed Iranian documentary filmmaker specializing in environmental and wildlife films. With over two decades of experience, Amiri has produced numerous documentaries that explore the rich biodiversity of Iran and raise awareness about critical environmental issues. His work has earned him over 50 national and 20 international awards, cementing his reputation as one of Iran’s leading environmental filmmakers.

Amiri’s film Ranger and Leopard received the prestigious Green Screen award in Germany in 2018. His documentary Vortex won the top prize at the 33rd Sondrio Festival in Italy in 2019. Amiri has also served as a jury member for esteemed festivals, including the Matsalu Nature Film Festival in Estonia (2019) and the Sondrio Environmental Film Festival in Italy (2020).

In Iran, Amiri has been recognized with some of the country’s most significant awards, including the Crystal Simorgh for Best Feature Documentary at the Fajr International Film Festival in 2011 for In Search of the Iranian Leopard. He also won the Grand Prize at the Cinema Verite Festival in 2014 for Life in Cold Veins and received multiple Cypress Awards at the Jam-e Jam TV Festival for works like Reptiles of Iran (2013) and The Ranger and the Leopard (2018).

Amiri holds a Master’s degree in Documentary Production from IRIB University and continues to be a prominent voice in Iranian cinema, inspiring global audiences with his thought-provoking films on wildlife and environmental conservation.

(more…)

Director's Statement:

As the largest subspecies of leopards in the world, Iranian leopard is unfortunately threatened with extinction. This documentary is about the hard efforts of a group of researchers to take pictures of Iranian leopards and its behaviors. Sixty percent of all Iranian leopards live in Iran and if the leopards living in Iran become distinct, this subspecies will be doomed to extinct in the world

Streaming

Watch the Movie

Due to copyright and licensing regulations, the full version of this film cannot be freely available on the internet. To watch and access the film, you must have the playback password.

We have provided you with a PassCode to retrieve the playback password, also called “access password“. Please enter your PassCode in the box below to display the playback password. Once received, copy the password into the video player’s input field to watch the film.

If you don’t have a PassCode, please fill out the form below to request access. We will contact you shortly to provide further instructions.

Film Specifications

Credits:

  • Director: Fathollah Amiri
  • Writer: Fathollah Amiri, Dr. Bagher Nezami Balouchi
  • Producer: Fathollah Amiri
  • Cinematographers: Dr. Bagher Nezami Balouchi, Morteza Eslami Dehkordi
  • Researchers: Dr. Bagher Nezami Balouchi, Mohammad Sadegh Farhadinia
  • Editor: Majid Mohammaddoust
  • Festival Distributor: Majid Mohammaddoust
  • Production: Wildlife Pictures intitute

Technical:

  • Project Type: Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Completion Date: 2011
  • Language: Persian, English (sub)
  • Shooting Format: Digital, 1080 50i
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Film Color: Color

Film Roadmap & Milestones

Production (2014 – 2019)
Post-Production (2019)
Film Festival Circuit (2019 – 2021)
Press & Media Coverage (2019)

TV Distribution (2020 – Ongoing)
Selling Uncut Film Clips (2021 – Ongoing)
Free Release of Film Footage (2030)
Open Access to the Film (2035)

Contact & Request

abbas@souzian.com

Pärnu mnt. 139c, 11317, Tallinn, Estonia