TEHRAN – The call for applications for the 20th International Resistance Theater Festival has been officially announced, inviting international artists to cooperate in the event.
Under the banner “Iran, the arena of eternal resistance,” the festival aims to expand the discourse of resistance and promote a culture of sacrifice, perseverance and justice across Iran, Mehr reported on Wednesday.
The event aims to leverage the experience of its previous 19 editions to discover and support talented local and international resistance theater artists, the report added.
The festival will be held across six main categories: Playwriting Competition, Stage Theater, Street Theater, Scientific Research Seminars, Workshops and International.
The call highlights the creation of artworks inspired by the 12-day invasion of Iran by Israel and the United States, alongside themes highlighting the martyrs and fighters of the Islamic Revolution, the Sacred Defense, the Axis of Resistance, nuclear martyrs, the heroic struggles of the Palestinian and Gaza people, and the role of women in resistance.
The Scientific Research Department aims to develop theoretical literature on resistance theater, foster interdisciplinary dialogue between artists and researchers, and investigate the social role of commitment theater in the contemporary world. In addition, workshops are held in different states, master classes in playwriting and street theater are held.
According to the secretariat, the application period is from mid-November to April 2026.
The festival, organized by the Revolutionary Theater and the Sacred Defense Association and the Rebayat-e-Fat Cultural Foundation, is scheduled to be held in Tehran and various cities of the country during the Holy Defense Week (September 22-29, 2026).
The 20th International Resistance Theater Festival, directed by Mohammad Kazemtabar, will be held across Iran, welcoming audiences and artists from all over the country.
SAB/