Ostad (فیلم استاد) is the directorial debut feature by Seyed Emad Hosseini, produced by Behrouz Afkhami with Mohammad-Hossein Mahdavian serving as consultant. It premiered at the 41st Fajr Film Festival and later saw theatrical release in October 2024. Centered around a respected university professor accused of sexual misconduct, the film explores the complexities of power dynamics within academic and artistic circles. It tackles its sensitive subject matter through a nuanced lens, aiming for neither sensationalism nor one-sided messaging, instead focusing on the “gray zones” of human behavior. The director emphasized that Ostād is “aligned with truth—not gender politics”—seeking to unpack real experiences without positioning the narrative in favor of any side.

Lead performances by Hassan Majuni and Sajad Babaei have been widely praised, with Babaei earning a Best Supporting Actor Crystal Simorgh at Fajr. Despite its provocative theme, reviews commonly point to structural shortcomings—particularly in its screenplay and character development—and occasionally criticized its handheld camera work and sound choices as detracting from its cinematic ambition. Overall, Ostād is notable for its bold thematic courage and atmospheric tone, positioning it as a thought-provoking, if flawed, contribution to Iran’s evolving cinematic discourse.