Biography
Pantea Modiri is an international journalist, media executive, and filmmaker whose work bridges the worlds of politics, culture, identity and human connection. A former White House correspondent and senior producer in London; Her work now moves fluidly between documentary filmmaking, dialogue initiatives, and cross-cultural media projects; focusing on stories that reveal the shared humanity behind political and social divides.
The Journey
Born in Iran, raised in the Netherlands, and now based in London, my life has been shaped by movement across borders, cultures and states of being.
At twelve, my family and I fled an oppressive regime in search of freedom. The journey was perilous, but it planted in me a truth I’ve carried ever since: that even in exile, the human spirit can rebuild. Loss became my teacher and resilience grew into my nature.
In the Netherlands, I grew up between worlds, learning that identity is not a single place, but a bridge we build between them. My early passion for justice led me to study Human Rights Law, work with Amnesty International, and eventually discover the transformative power of media.
In 2005, I helped establish Radio Zamaneh, an independent Persian-language station giving voice to those silenced inside Iran. It was my first experience of media as liberation. That was the moment I realised that storytelling can be resistance.
After moving to London, I graduated from Queen Mary University with a degree in Media and Communication Law, later founding a non-profit advocating for freedom of musical expression in Iran. My path expanded into television, where I hosted flagship programs on Manoto TV and Iran International, reaching millions of viewers and amplifying unheard voices.
Today, my work continues to evolve at the intersection of media, dialogue, and awareness, guided by a simple purpose: to connect truth with empathy — and to turn every story into a step toward understanding.