Javid Sobhani to serve on panel of Portugal’s Arouca Film Festival
Iranian director and screenwriter Javid Sobhani was named to the jury of the 23rd Arouca Film Festival, which will run from September 9 to 18, in Portugal, Mehr News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The Arouca festival, regarded as one of Portugal’s most prominent cultural events, highlights international cinema and supports emerging talent.
This year’s edition will expand its reach by adding a feature film competition for the first time, alongside its long-standing contests for short fiction, documentary, animation and experimental works, Mehr News Agency reported.
Sobhani, born in 1991 in Karaj, Alborz Province is a member of Iranian Society of Screenwriters. He previously served on the festival’s jury in 2024. His credits include writing the feature film ‘Azhdar’ and both writing and directing the short films ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Walkie-Talkie’.
His latest screenplay, ‘The White Horse,’ won the top prize in the pitching section at the 20th Kazan International Film Festival in Russia. Organizers in Portugal said his return to Arouca reflects the festival’s “commitment” to showcasing diverse voices in global cinema.