Filmmaker Javad Ganji shot dead by direct gunfire from Iranian forces in Tehran

Hengaw – Sunday, January 11, 2026

Javad Ganji, a filmmaker from Hamedan, was killed by direct gunfire from forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran during protests in Tehran. Video evidence reviewed by Hengaw confirms that dozens of other civilians were also killed by direct fire during the crackdown, underscoring the scale of violence used by government forces.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Ganji, 39, a film and television director and assistant director, was shot dead during protests in the Sadeghiyeh area of Tehran on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Ganji had been active in cinema and television for many years, working as an assistant director and production planner on numerous projects, including Mamnou’-ol-Khorouji, Shayad Jayi Digar, Dokhtar-e Iran, and the television program Charkosh.

Hengaw has previously reported—based on verified video evidence—that Iranian military and security forces carried out extrajudicial killings by opening direct fire on protesters during the recent demonstrations in Tehran.