Following the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran and Mazaheri's participation in social protests, he, a supporter of the movement and an advocate for change in Iran, openly criticized the pervasive influence of security institutions in the country's film industry. In a symbolic gesture of protest, he withdrew his two Crystal Simorghs - the pinnacle of Iranian cinema recognition - from the Fajr Film Festival. Mazaheri publicly declared his unwillingness to create works of art under the Iranian regime, which he saw as oppressive, and subsequently moved to France.
