Born in 1974 in Iran, she began her art career as a painter in 1991, participating in several group exhibitions in Iran and abroad. She entered Iranian independent films as a director of photography and then as an assistant director for documentaries. In 2002, Mania played the main role in Abbas Kiarostami’s Ten (2002, 26th Mostra). Her directorial debut in features was 20 Fingers (2005, 28th Mostra), winner of best film and best director in the digital cinema competition at the Venice International Film Festival. She also directed 10 + 4 (2008, 32nd Mostra), One.Two.One (2011, 35th Mostra) and Life May Be (2014, 38th Mostra).