Located in the scenic Bagh-e Ferdows neighborhood of Shemiran, near Valiasr Street and Tajrish Square, the Cinema Museum of Iran occupies a stunning historic mansion surrounded by lush greenery. Towering plane trees line the path leading to the museum, guiding visitors to a serene entrance that opens into the 20,000-square-meter garden.
The origins of Bagh-e Ferdows date back to the Qajar era. Construction of the northern mansion began in 1264 AH by order of Mohammad Shah Qajar, but it remained incomplete after his death. Later, under Naser al-Din Shah, the garden was given as a wedding gift to his daughter. During the Pahlavi era, it hosted cultural festivals, artistic events, and national celebrations.
The Cinema Museum of Iran officially opened in 1994 under the supervision of the Tehran Cultural Spaces Development Company, aiming to preserve and showcase the country’s cinematic heritage. Initially established on Lalehzar Street, the museum was relocated to its current Bagh-e Ferdows mansion in 2002 by presidential order. Renowned figures such as Ezzatollah Entezami and Abbas Kiarostami contributed to its development.
Architecture
The museum blends Iranian, Roman, and Greek architectural elements, creating a visually striking structure with multiple halls and exhibitions. The mansion’s intricate stuccowork, columns, and ceilings reflect the grandeur of Qajar-era design. Recent restoration efforts have preserved these historical features while maintaining the charm of Bagh-e Ferdows.
Exhibition Halls and Key Sections
Pioneers Hall: Showcases the first cinema equipment and portraits of Iran’s early filmmakers.
Sound and Dubbing Hall: Features vintage tools from Iran’s dubbing and sound industry, including equipment used by Ali Kasmai, the father of Iranian dubbing.
Contemporary Cinema Hall: Displays over 700 portraits of prominent Iranian cinema figures, along with stage and costume designs. Special sections honor artists such as Ezzatollah Entezami, Samuel Khachikian, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, and Dariush Mehrjui.
International Awards Hall: Exhibits Iran’s prestigious international awards, including Cannes’ Palme d’Or, Venice’s Lion, and Berlin’s Bear. Film posters nominated at international festivals are also displayed.
Cinema Screening Hall: Preserves Iranian cinema artifacts from the 1930s and 1940s, including posters of best-selling films.
Ali Hatami Hall: Honors the iconic filmmaker with memorabilia, sculptures, and film editing setups.
Iranian Cinema Legends Hall: Features portraits of celebrated figures such as Dariush Mehrjui and Khosrow Shakibai.
Farhad House: Showcases personal belongings, instruments, and books of the legendary musician Farhad Mehrad, accompanied by his music.
Children’s Cinema Exhibition: Highlights actors and filmmakers in Iranian children’s cinema.
Sacred Defense Cinema Exhibition: Documents films, actors, and directors related to the Iran-Iraq war era.
Recreated Historic Theater: Experience the cinema environment of 1930s and 1940s Iran, including wooden seats from Cinema Mayak.
Cinema Halls in Bagh-e Ferdows:
Ferdows Hall: Opened in 2019, with 109 seats.
Tamaddon Hall: Opened in 2018, with 52 seats.
Cinematograph Hall: Opened in 2009, with 205 seats.
Museum Collections:
The museum houses an extensive archive, including:
• 1,100 films
• 3,000 documents
• 2,500 posters
• 8,000 books and 5,000 magazines
• Various costumes, props, and makeup artifacts
• 25,000 film photographs
• 300 vintage cinematograph devices
• National and international awards
Special Exhibits:
• Archive of filmmaker Samuel Khachikian
• Handmade wooden ship from the film Resurrection
• Silver Cheetah from Taraneh Alidoosti
• Scale model of Bahram Beyzai’s film Passengers
• Charcoal-based film projector and semi-automatic printing device by Iranian engineer Mohsen Badi’
• Abbas Kiarostami’s booth, including passports, awards, and gifts from international filmmakers
• Statue of Ibn al-Haytham, commemorating the great Iranian scientist whose studies of optics influenced European scholars, including Leonardo da Vinci
The Cinema Museum of Iran at Bagh-e Ferdows offers a rich journey through the nation’s cinematic legacy, all within the beauty of a historic garden mansion.