Shiraz selected as preferred venue for Fajr Int’l Film Festival
Iran’s Fajr International Film Festival (FIff) is set to return this year, with Shiraz being chosen as the preferred city to host the international section. Authorities announced the plan on November 3, framing Shiraz as a suitable and culturally rich option, though no permanent decision has been made to hold future editions there.
The international section of FIff has been suspended for several years, undermining its credibility and raising concerns among filmmakers and cultural observers. By selecting Shiraz, officials aim to revive the festival while signaling the potential for a more consistent and professional framework, provided that future editions maintain continuity and clear planning, ILNA reported.
Film critic and cultural analyst Jalil Akbari Sehat said that Shiraz “is a city of high cultural and tourist potential” and could host the festival permanently if the right conditions are met. He cautioned that “the hiatus in holding festivals injures their reputation” and stressed that stability is essential to safeguard the festival’s credibility and long-term impact on Iranian cinema.
Producer Mehdi Azimi Mirabadi described the choice of Shiraz as “a wise and intelligent decision”, noting the city’s international cultural recognition.
He added that the festival must not become “a private or ineffective gathering for Iran’s cinema” and called for a structured manifesto to guide programming, awards, and organization, ensuring the festival remains a meaningful platform rather than a ceremonial event.
Azimi Mirabadi also reflected on past interruptions, noting that the international section “lost its independent identity” in recent years and functioned mainly as an adjunct to the national festival.
He warned that if each edition “starts from scratch”, the festival will yield little benefit for films, filmmakers, or the country’s cultural reputation.
Despite economic constraints, Akbari Sehat emphasized that festivals remain vital for sustaining the creative ecosystem. “Cinema cannot be dynamic if festivals are absent,” he said. Authorities see FIff as important not only for screening films but also for maintaining cultural momentum and motivating filmmakers amid limited production resources.
The 2025 edition in Shiraz will be overseen by Rouhollah Hosseini, whose international experience is expected to strengthen management and global outreach. Officials noted that Shiraz’s poetic heritage and tourist landmarks, including Persepolis, provide a symbolic backdrop aligning the festival with Iran’s cultural identity.