About the Cinema Museum of Iran
Nestled in the historic Ferdows Garden in northern Tehran, the Cinema Museum of Iran preserves and celebrates the nation’s rich cinematic heritage. Housed in a Qajar-era mansion and transformed into a museum in 2002, it offers visitors an immersive journey through the evolution of Iranian cinema, all within the serene and elegant surroundings of its historic garden.
Our Vision & Mission
The Cinema Museum is dedicated to:
Collecting, preserving, documenting, and presenting artifacts, documents, photographs, and cinematic equipment from Iran's film history.
Acting as a cultural repository and educational resource, guiding current and future generations in appreciating the evolution of Iranian film.
History at a Glance
Ferdows Garden, originally built during the reign of Mohammad-Shah Qajar (1834–1848), has evolved through various roles over the years—as a school, an arts center, a filmmaking school, and since 2002, the home of the Cinema Museum of Iran.
The museum itself first opened on Lalehzar Street in 1998 and was relocated to its current majestic setting in Ferdows Garden in 2002.
Collections & Exhibitions
The museum’s diverse galleries include:
Blue Hall: Chronicles the cinema’s introduction in Iran, early filmmaking tools, and pioneer figures
Middle Hall (Contemporaries): Portraits of filmmakers, cinematographers, and designers, along with behind-the-scenes artifacts...
International Hall: Showcases Iranian films' global festival presence and awards
Sacred Defense Exhibit: Focuses on films from the Iran–Iraq War era.
Other galleries highlight children’s cinema, dubbing and sound, celebrity portraits, the legacy of Ali Hatami, Farhad Mehrad’s memorabilia, historical storytelling traditions, and the Armenian community’s contributions to Iranian cinema.
Overall, the museum holds an impressive archive: approximately 40,000 photographs, 5,000 cinema magazines, 3,000 documents, 2,500 posters, 4,000 scripts, and around 350 vintage filmmaking tools.
Amenities & Visitor Experience
Two traditional cinema halls for daily screenings, discussions, and retrospectives in a historic setting.
A bookshop, DVD store, and cafés located within the garden offer film-related merchandise and a tranquil space to relax.
Why Visit Us?
- Experience the rich legacy of Iranian cinema—from silent films and New Wave directors to contemporary auteurs.
- Delve into a vast and thoughtfully curated collection of artifacts, archives, and exhibitions that reflect Iran’s cultural and artistic journey.
- Explore a beautifully preserved Qajar-era mansion set amidst lush gardens, offering a tranquil retreat in the heart of Tehran.
Visit us at Cinema Museum of Iran, located in the historic Bagh-e Ferdows, Tehran
Location: No.9, Bagh-e Ferdows , Valiasr Street (between Tajrish Square and Park Way Crossroads), Tehran, Iran
Hours: Open Sunday through Friday; typically from 9 AM to 5 PM
Contact: +98-21-22705005 | info@cinemamuseum.ir