Babak Najafi is an Iranian-born Swedish filmmaker perhaps best known for the feature Sebbe, which he wrote and directed. Sebbe was honored with the Guldbagge Award (Sweden's official film award, given annually since 1964 by the Swedish Film Institute), also known as the Golden Bug Award, for Best Film; and Mr. Najafi received the award for Best Debut Film at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival.
He then took the reins as director of, and screenwriter on, Snabba Cash II (a.k.a. Easy Money II), the sequel to the hit Swedish crime thriller Snabba Cash (a.k.a. Easy Money), with star Joel Kinnaman reprising his breakout role. Snabba Cash II was nominated for four Guldbagge Awards, winning for Best Make-up.
Previously, he had studied documentary filmmaking at the Dramatic Institute in Sweden. Mr. Najafi went on to write and direct a number of acclaimed short films, including Elixir. He has also directed episodes of the cult favorite series Banshee, which airs on Cinemax.
Focus Features
