Tehran Int’l Short Film Festival to screen 94 films from 55 countries
The 42nd Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) will run from 19 to 24 October at Iran Mall, hosting 94 films from 55 countries, festival director Behrouz Shoaybi announced at a press briefing on Sunday.
“We will showcase 57 narrative films, 20 animations, 20 experimental works, 21 documentaries, 35 adaptations, and 53 photographic entries,” Shoaybi said, highlighting a diverse international program, IRNA reported.
The largest number of submissions come from China, Spain, India, and the United States, followed by France and Brazil. Fifteen films explore artificial intelligence, while seven focus on emerging narratives from the MENA region.
The festival has also dedicated a special section to socially relevant films. “This year, we received a substantial number of films addressing topics like resistance, Gaza, Lebanon, and the 12-day war,” Shoaybi said. “The aim is to give these works visibility with respect and enthusiasm.”
This year, TISFF will include restored short films from the 1930s and a special screening for the visually impaired, in collaboration with the Iranian National Cinematheque.
Shoaybi stressed that the festival will also engage young audiences, “We are hosting several art schools from Tehran and other cities to introduce students to filmmaking and the industry.”
The venue was moved from Milad Tower to Iran Mall to improve accessibility and expand screening capacity. “The central city venues had limited capacity,” Shoaybi explained. “Iran Mall offered more suitable facilities, and cooperation with local authorities will facilitate audience access.”
He also addressed political and cultural sensitivities in film selection. “Filmmakers created works with care and quality; we did not exclude any films due to hijab issues or political content. Only two films were excluded for technical or content reasons,” he said.
Recognized by the Academy Awards, the festival continues to be an Oscar-qualifying event and holds an A-grade quality ranking.
Shoaybi emphasized the collaborative effort behind the festival’s success and its commitment to supporting young filmmakers, “Our role is to stand by them, even amid budget constraints, and ensure their work receives the recognition it deserves.”