Rakhshān Banietemad (Persian: رخشان بنی‌اعتماد; born April 3, 1954, in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian film director and screenwriter.

She is often referred to as the "First Lady of Iranian Cinema" due to her prominent role in the country's film industry and her ability to merge political themes with personal and family narratives in her work.

Her films often address a wide range of issues such as: the evolving roles of women, poverty, war, domestic abuse, social mobility, and balancing a portrayal of harsh realities with a sense of hope for change.

She studied both architecture and stage assistance, but the following year, she took the national exam for the faculty of dramatic arts and chose to focus on film directing.

[4] In 1973, after completing her degree, Banietemad began working as a script supervisor for the Iranian television network IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting).

[2] In Tales (2014), Banietemad intertwines seven stories, where notable female characters from her past films reappear, reinforcing the historical and cultural relevance of her work and her impact on the portrayal of women in Iranian cinema.

This focus reflects the societal expectations of Iranian women, who often find it difficult to separate their personal lives from their maternal roles within the country’s patriarchal structure.

[9] For example, the story of Nargess comes from a documentary about homeless women, the character of Touba in Under the Skin of the City (2001) came about from a documentary on working women, and the character of "Kabootar" in the movie The Blue Veiled (1995) was inspired by a harsh woman called "Mr. Ghodrat" (Ghodrat means a power which is a male name).

[9] Banietemad is known for her interest in strong female characters[3] and she views Iranian women as central to the countries future and often highlights their strength and resilience.

[3] Although her work prominently features strong female protagonists, Banietemad rejects being labeled a feminist filmmaker.