Fatemeh Motamed-Arya (born 1961 in Tehran) is a leading figure of Iranian cinema. A graduate in theatrical acting from Iran’s Teacher Training College of Arts, she began her film career in 1984 and has since appeared in more than 60 films and numerous TV series. She has worked with major directors such as Bahram Beyzai, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Abbas Kiarostami.

She has received 12 nominations and won 4 Crystal Simorgh awards for Best Actress at the Fajr Film Festival, along with major international awards including Best Asian Actress at the Asia Pacific Film Festival and Best Actress at the Montreal World Film Festival. She holds the record for the highest number of awards among Iranian actresses.

In 2011, she received the Henri Langlois Prize for her contribution to cinema and cultural engagement. In 2014, her portrait was displayed at the United Nations alongside figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Satyajit Ray and Umm Kulthum. She has also served on juries of major festivals including the Venice Film Festival.

Alongside cinema, she has been active in theatre since age 14 and won Best Actress at Iran’s International Theatre Festival in 2019. She co-founded the Association of Iranian Cinema Actors, became the first woman on the board of the House of Cinema, and led the actors’ association until 2023.

Committed to social causes, she supports charities such as Mahak Charity Foundation and promotes mental health awareness. She has also taught acting for many years and led workshops internationally. Her impact is documented in The Blue Role of Simin by Zaven Ghokasian.