MUMBAI: A number of Hollywood celebrities including Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro and Francis Ford Coppola, in a signed petition, have demanded the release of jailed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

"We … stand in solidarity with a fellow filmmaker, condemn this detention, and strongly urge the Iranian government to release Mr. Panahi immediately," read the petition.

The petition also signed by Michael Moore, Robert Redford, Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese wants Iran‘s filmmakers be "celebrated and not censored."

Panahi was taken away by security forces on 1 March after they raided his home during a dinner party.

The director is known for his socially critical films such as Crimson Gold and The Circle, that annexed the Golden Lion in at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. Panahi also won the Silver Bear and a grand jury prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2006 for Offside, which concerned a group of female soccer fans who sneak in to see a men‘s match.

Several countries, including Canada, have called for his release.