zala films

A documentary film by George Csicsery

Maryam Mirzakhani: The First & Only Woman Who Won Fields Medal

Maryam Mirzakhani was the first Iranian to have been honored with the Field Medal, which is regarded as the Nobel Prize of mathematics. She is also the first and only woman to win this award.

Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian-born mathematician who in 2014 became the first woman awarded the Fields Medal, often called the most prestigious prize in mathematics, died July 14, 2017. She was 40.



Filmed in Canada, Iran, and the United States, Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani examines the life and mathematical work of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian immigrant to the United States who became a superstar in her field.

In 2014, she was both the first woman and the first Iranian to be honored by mathematics’ highest prize, the Fields Medal.

Mirzakhani’s contributions are explained in the film by leading mathematicians and illustrated by animated sequences. Her mathematical colleagues from around the world, as well as former teachers, classmates, and students in Iran today, convey the deep impact of her achievements.

"There are times when I feel like I'm in a big forest and don't know where I'm going. ..."

"The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers."



The path of her education, success on Iran’s Math Olympiad team, and her brilliant work, make Mirzakhani an ideal role model for girls looking toward careers in science and mathematics.

To arrange screenings at your institution please contact geocsi@zalafilms.com.

November 7, 2020 - (The Filmfestival Mathematik has been canceled due to covid safety concerns and will be re-scheduled.)



The Heidelberg Laureate Forum will present Secrets of the Surface as the closing night film of the Filmfestival Mathematik Informatik on November 7 at 7:30 p.m. CET. A panel discussion including director/producer George Csicsery will follow the screening.

October 23-28, 2020 - Secrets of the Surface will be screened October 23-28 at Pariscience 2020, an international scientific film festival presenting a free selection of the best of recent French and international scientific documentary productions. Screenings will only be available in France. Read about the film here.

October 18, 2020 - UNAFF2020, the 23rd United Nations Association International Documentary Film Festival, screens Secrets of the Surface beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 as part of the annual festival (October 15-25) featuring some 60 films.

The Northern California festival this year will celebrate the power of empathy through films that highlight human rights issues, including environmentalism, racism, health, women's issues, universal education, war and peace.


When she was a kid.

George Csicsery of Zala Films and other filmmakers will participate in a 6 p.m. livestreamed discussion on October 18 of several films screened that day.