TEHRAN – The poster for the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival was unveiled on Saturday at a ceremony held next to the Saadi Mausoleum in Shiraz, Fars province.
The poster, designed by Mehdi Davai, is based on a photograph by Jasem Ghazbanpour. According to a report by IRNA, Ghazbanpour captured Abbas Kiarostami, a famous Iranian film director and Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, in this image.
Raed Farizadeh, President of the Iranian Film Institute, stated succinctly at the ceremony: “The role of cinema is nothing less than creating a space where we can pause and reflect quietly through works that each tell a part of our collective story. The late Abbas Kiarostami, one of the masters of world cinema who created such works and told a part of our collective identity, is featured on this year’s festival poster.”
“It is a great honor to name the festival after master Kiarostami. His unique storytelling style has deep connections with Iranian culture, thought and language. We hope that Shiraz will host a great festival,” he added.
Farizadeh also met with representatives of the leadership of Fars province and briefed them on the festival. “For many years, this festival has been held in Tehran, but we decided to leverage the capabilities of other parts of the country. There is no better choice than a province with strong infrastructure and the ability to introduce important parts of our religious and national identity.”
He said that based on the memorandum of understanding between the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Governor of Fars Province, the Fajr International Film Festival will now be hosted by Shiraz.
“Shiraz is the best place in the country to host this festival, as the theme of this festival is ‘combining poetry and film,'” Farizadeh said.
Referring to foreign participants, he said, “The filmmakers are very enthusiastic about coming to Iran, and more than 170 international guests are scheduled to visit Shiraz.”
He also announced that in addition to foreign filmmakers, ministers, deputy ministers and film professionals from 14 countries will attend the event.
Commenting on the various sections of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, Farizadeh said: “This year, a special competitive section called ‘Broken Olive’ will be held, dedicated to the children of Gaza, where nine films will be screened.”
He added that Eastern Vista, Discovering First-Time Filmmakers and Film Market are among the other sections of the festival.
Farizadeh also said that an expert panel on Middle Eastern film languages and other film-related discussions will be held on the sidelines of the festival.
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival will be held from November 26th to December 3rd under the auspices of Shiraz City.
SS/SAB