Gabbeh (Persian: گبه) is a 1996 Iranian film directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.^[2] The film was selected as the Iranian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 70th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee.^[3][4]

The film derives its name from a type of Persian rug. It begins by showing an elderly couple, carrying their gabbeh, walking towards a river hoping to wash it. When the rug is spread upon the ground, a girl, referred to as Gabbeh, magically comes out of it. The film follows her story and the audience learn about her family, her uncle who is hoping to find a bride, and, most importantly, her longing for a young man she hopes to marry.

• Abbas Sayah as Uncle
• Shaghayeh Djodat as Gabbeh
• Hossein Moharami as Old Man
• Rogheih Moharami as Old Woman
• Parvaneh Ghalandari

The film had its world premiere at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. Shortly after was banned in Iran for being "subversive".^[5]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 20 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.3/10, earning it a "Fresh" score.^[6]

• Best Director and Special Critics Award, Sitges Film Festival, 1996
• Silver Screen Award, Singapore International Film Festival
• Best Artistic Contribution Award, Tokyo International Film Festival
• One of 10 selected films by critics – Times (USA) 1996.^[1]

• List of submissions to the 70th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
• List of Iranian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film