Sam Kalantari born 26 March 1976 is an Iranian film director and professional photographer. He is considered to be the fourth generation of Iranian documentary filmmakers.

Kalantari has received Crystal Simorgh for the best documentary film at the 38th Fajr International Film Festival for his film “No Place for Angels”. He also received Special Jury Prize-Diploma of Honor and trophy for directing this film from 13th Iran International Documentary Film Festival “Cinema Verite”. Additionally, in this festival the film received “The Audience Special Award”, “The Best Music” and “Art & Experience Awards and trophies, making this film among one of the most award winning ones from Cinema Verite.

Early Life & background
Kalantari was born in Tehran. He is a graduate of civil engineering and started filmmaking academically the same time as he entered university to study civil engineering. He entered the realm of Iran’s professional filmmaking scene in year 2001 after completing his academic studies in filmmaking in Ireland. Professional photography has always been his hobby, Kalantari was invited by different galleries in Iran and UAE to have solo photography exhibitions.

Film Career
Kalantari was involved in the production of over fifteen films, including documentaries and series in different countries, he is known for being passionate about experiencing different genres.
His nomination for Crystal Simorgh for the best Research and Writing at the 32th Fajr International Film Festival for the film “Memories for All Seasons” directed by Mostafa Razaq karimi in the genre of war, directing and researching of film “ From House N.37” as a documentary-portrait about "Sadegh Hedayat" – who was an Iranian writer, translator and intellectual - which has been broadcasted and screened in many literary assemblies and internationally acclaimed networks and the experimental film of “ He” which in addition to winning numerous domestic awards has also been selected by many international festivals such as Visions du Réel ( Switzerland) are among examples of his works in different genres.

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