NWO Productions presents
Mishkín-Qalam Documentary Film
An award-winning documentary on the life and art of the master calligrapher.
The true story of the calligrapher who traded a palace for exile
The Mishkín-Qalam documentary tells the true story of Mishkín-Qalam, the leading calligrapher of nineteenth-century Persia. Tutor to the Crown Prince and celebrated across Asia Minor, he gave up a life of royal privilege for his beliefs and spent decades in exile and imprisonment — nineteen of those years in Cyprus, where this film was shot. Told through dramatic re-enactments, original “Miniature”-style animation, and interviews with scholars and his own descendants, it is a story of art, conviction and resilience that still speaks to a divided world.
Despite a monumental contribution to Persian calligraphy, Mishkín-Qalam’s full story has stayed largely hidden from global audiences. His life spans several fields that keep his legacy relevant today.
Synopsis
Born Mírzá Ḥusayn-i-Isfahání in Shiraz, Persia, he rose from obscurity to the royal court after a single fingernail sketch caught the eye of King Naser al-Din Shah, who gave him the honorific “Mishkín-Qalam” and made him tutor to the Crown Prince. At the height of his fame, he advocated for the unity of humankind, a choice that cost him everything worldly: decades in exile and as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire, including nineteen years in Cyprus. Yet he never lost his creative fire, producing works of outstanding beauty now held in the Harvard Art Museums, the British Museum, and the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. This documentary retraces that journey across three continents. Read more about his life on the Official Biography page.
Cast & Crew
Directors and Producers
Dr. Elnaz Nasehi
Director | Screenwriter | Producer | Editor
Arman Arian
Director | Screenwriter | Producer
Executive Producers
Nahid Meshgin
Nahid Meshgin is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and author who has dedicated her life to serving communities and associations fostering peace and global harmony.
In 2020 she published the memoirs of her uniquely inspiring and spiritual journey across four continents entitled “The Journey: Treading the Pathway of Love, Faith and Service [↗]”.
Dr Mehrdad Meshgin
Dr Mehrdad Meshgin is a hydraulic engineer, investor and great-grandson of Mishkin-Qalam. For over 40 years, he has pursued research into the life of his illustrious ancestor, which has led to his support and involvement in the Mishkin-Qalam documentary.
Amir Válá Meshkin
Documentary: Executive Producer
Soundtrack: Composer | Vocalist | Producer
Featured voices & scholars
Bijan Saadat, PhD
Maria Constantinou
Bijan Ferdowsi
Mehrdad Meshgin, PhD
Vahid Rafati, PhD
Amir Válá Meshkin
Susan Merter (Mokhles), PhD
Iraj Ayman, PhD
Fariborz Sahba
Mulla Mustafa Salman
Taçgey Debeş, PhD
Fariborz Sahba
Arman Arian
Anita Graves
Awards & recognition
Best Documentary Feature
Zepstone International Film & Music Festival
Best Documentary Feature
Poombukar Independent Film Festival
Best Documentary Feature
Tamizhagam International Film Festival
Best Documentary Film
European Art Festival
Best Foreign Documentary
European Art Festival
Best Original Score
European Art Festival
The award-winning original soundtrack
The film’s original score was composed and produced by Amir Válá Meshkin and performed by ELViRiA, his Rock / Electronic / World Music collective. It features three songs, the title track Mishkín-Qalam, Love (Eshgh), and The Garden of Thy Heart, and has been recognised for Best Original Score. Listen on ELViRiA’s site, Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, or explore the full soundtrack page.
Best Music Score
Zepstone International Film & Music Festival
Where to watch
The documentary will be officially released on 11 November 2026.
Coming Soon.
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Explore more
His life from Isfahan to exile in Cyprus.
His nail-script and ink masterpieces.
The ELViRiA score and its three songs.
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch the Mishkin-Qalam documentary?
It is available exclusively on MishkinQalam.com
How long is the documentary?
Approximately 55 Minutes (54 mins 42 secs)
What languages is it in?
Interviews are in Persian, Greek, Turkish, and English. The Documentary is available in Persian (Farsi), and English (Dubbed).
Where was it filmed?
In Cyprus, the island where Mishkin-Qalam was exiled for 19 years.
Is it based on a true story?
Yes — it’s a biographical documentary about the real 19th-century Persian calligrapher Mishkin-Qalam (1824–1912).
Who composed the music?
The score was composed and produced by Amir Válá Meshkin — a descendant of the artist — and performed by his collective ELViRiA.
Is it suitable for educational or classroom use?
Yes. The film was made with historical rigour and is well suited to cultural, art, and history education.
Has it won any awards?
Yes — it has been recognised at international film festivals, including for Best Original Score.
NWO Productions
NWO Productions (New World Order Productions) is a music and film production company devoted to the creation of world-class documentaries, music videos and feature films of beauty, substance and lasting significance. Inspired by a long-held vision of a more enlightened and harmonious civilisation, NWO Productions seeks through the arts to advance understanding, foster the unity and peace of all humankind, and contribute to the betterment of society. We believe that the arts have a unique power to generate joy, awaken compassion, disseminate knowledge and strengthen the bonds that unite us, bringing people closer together while celebrating the rich diversity of their lives and cultures. Through films and music that educate, uplift and inspire, we hope to play a small part in the advancement of human civilisation and in the building of a more peaceful, just and prosperous world.
Our first feature-length production, Mishkín-Qalam, brings this vision to life through the story of one remarkable artist whose life crossed cultures, continents and empires. We are deeply proud of this first feature and profoundly grateful to all who gave their time, talent and devotion to its making. Through Mishkín-Qalam, we hope to bring the life and legacy of its subject to a wider audience and inspire a deeper appreciation for art, history and the stories that connect us.