The Iranian Tehran three films attend the 52nd Athens International Film Festival (AIFVF) in Athens, Ohio, USA.
The animation “The Sheep” by Hadi Babaeifar, directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, and the experimental film “Razeh del” by Maryam Tafakory, are three Iranian films that took part in the event.
“In the Shadow of the Cypress” won the Best Animated Short Film at the 2025 Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards last month.
The animation depicts a former captain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder who lives with his daughter in a humble house by the sea. Together, they must live isolated lives and face the challenges of harsh living.
One morning, an unexpected event will change their lives forever. It remains to be seen whether the event has proven to be a source of new hope or whether there will be additional burdens.
“Sheep” shows a girl living with her mother in Tehran. Discovering that sheep in her neighbor’s backyard have been sacrificed in a traditional ritual, she decides to save as many sheep as possible.
“Razeh Del” is jointly produced by Iran, Italy and the UK. It was two girls who wrote to the first Iranian women’s newspaper in 1998, titled “Zan.” While waiting for publication, they thought of making an impossible film.
Founded in 1973, AIFVF has been publishing the best international films in Athens, Ohio for 52 years. It is known worldwide as a festival that supports films from underground and marginalized groups. It is a champion of justice and provides a voice to artists and perspectives that are underrated at the global level.
For more than 50 years, AIFVF has embraced experimental, animated stories, documentaries, shorts and feature films from every corner of the world. The festival is recognized as a Qualifying Festival in Academy® Motion Picture Arts Science and Short Story and Short Animation categories.
This year’s festival edition, which began on April 7th, ends on April 13th and will award recipients from various sections.
SS/SAB