Curtain falls on Tehran Int’l Short Film Festival
Winners announced
The 40th Tehran International Short Film Festival concluded and the winners in various categories were announced during its closing ceremony, attended by Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili.
The Grand Prix of the Iranian Section of the festival was presented to Ali Alizadeh for his narrative work, ‘Qotar.’ The film also won the Special Jury Award, IRNA wrote.
In his speech, Alizadeh expressed his gratitude, saying, “I had many friends in this film who worked shoulder to shoulder with me, and perhaps even more diligently than I did. I would like to thank them all.”
The Audience Choice Award was given to Farhad Shantiyaei and Sama’ Esmaeildokht for their joint film, ‘Ant’.
The Best Animation Award went to Fatemeh Ja’fari for her outstanding work, ‘Being Ten.’
Iranian cinema was well represented, with the Best Iranian Film Award for Payam Kurdestani and Bahman Rezaei for ‘Suicide with Nietzsche Style.’
One of the festival’s most prestigious accolades which was recently added to the event, The Truth-Seekers Award, was presented to an Afghan director Samih Saghman for the documentary ‘Golab-e Gol’, which sheds light on the endurance of the human spirit in challenging times.
Saghman was honored for his unwavering commitment to truth-seeking and his dedication to capturing the essence of human stories on film.
Another recently-added category of this year, The Silk Road Prize, aims to recognize filmmakers who endeavor to uncover the hidden facets of the Silk Road’s cultural and historical significance.
Nasim Soheili won this section’s award for Miras-e Baad’ (Legacy of the Wind) for her outstanding contribution to the cinematic exploration of the Silk Road.
International filmmakers also made their mark, with a French director Kate MacMullen taking home the Best Documentary Award for the film ‘Little Berlin.’
The Best Animation Award was won by an Italian director Simone Massi ‘When the War Ends’.
The Grand Prix of the International Section was secured by Hassan Hekmat Ravesh for his ‘All Depends on Mr. Kaf’s Opinion’.