Payman Maadi got his big international break in Asghar Farhadi’s, A Separation (2011). This year, the Iranian actor is awarded with the 2019 Stockholm Achievement Award for his unique quality of reaching through the screen, past prejudices and over borders. Payman Maadi will accept the Bronze Horse at the Nordic premiere and red-carpet screening of Just 6.5 (2019). 

Photo of Payman Maadi in Just 6.5. 

This years’ Stockholm Achievement Award is presented to Payman Maadi, with the following motivation: 
This years’ Stockholm Achievement Award winner is an Iranian actor with universal appeal and world-class role performances that have enriched great cinema. With his powerful and insightful role interpretations he opens a door for the audience to go beyond the big screen, past prejudices and over borders. It is the first time the Bronze Horse is awarded to an actor outside of Europe and USA.  

Payman Maadi will attend the festival with the film Just 6.5, which is this years’ most seen film at Iranian movie theater and is competing for the prestigious Stockholm Impact Award. 

Today, Payman Maadi is one of the biggest and most popular film stars in Iran. His acting career really took off in Asghar Farhadi’s (awarded with 2018 Stockholm Visionary Award) About Elly (2009) and A Separation (2011). Payman Maadi have also starred in several American films like Camp X-ray (2014), alongside Kristen Stewart, that was screened at Stockholm International Film Festival 2014.  

Payman Maadi will accept the Bronze Horse and participate in a Face2Face at the screening of Just 6.5, directed by Saeed Roustaees, 6:00 pm, November 14th at Skandia in Stockholm.  

The film is competing for the prestigious Stockholm Impact Award that is presented, for the fifth year in a row, by the City of Stockholm and Stockholm International Film Festival. Together with a cash prize of one million SEK, the winning director receives a unique award designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.  

Tickets to the film are released today at 12:00 am.  

The Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual in honor and acknowledgement of their contribution to the world of film. Previous recipients of this award are, among others, Gena Rowlands, Lauren Bacall, David Lynch, Oliver Stone, Susan Sarandon, Claire Denis, Mike Leigh, and Francis Ford Coppola. 

Journalists can apply for Press Accreditation to the 30th Stockholm International Film Festival here. 

For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Matti Johansson, Head of Press
+46 76 811 65 66
press@stockholmfilmfestival.se

Cecilia Oscarsson, Press Secretary  
+46 8 677 50 11
pressekreterare@stockholmfilmfestival.se

The 30th Stockholm International Film Festival : 6-17 November 2019
Stockholm International Film Festival was founded in 1990 and has grown to become one of Europe's leading film festivals. During the festival we screen over 150 films from over 60 countries. We also arrange exclusive previews throughout the year, open-air screenings during the summer as well as Stockholm International Film Festival Junior in April.
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