Fajr Film Festival pares back costs ahead of 44th edition
Iran’s 44th Fajr Film Festival will go ahead with a leaner, cost-cutting format next month, with organizers scrapping several long-standing practices as they streamline the country’s flagship cinema event in Tehran.
One of the most significant shifts concerns film selection. Instead of a separate selection committee, festival secretary Manouchehr Shahsavari, working with a small trusted team, is overseeing the choice of entries, IRNA reported.
While the move has drawn criticism from some filmmakers, others note that secretary-led selection is standard practice at many major international festivals. The change also concentrates accountability, making the secretary directly responsible for inclusion or exclusion decisions.
Organizers have also denied reports that press accreditation would be abolished. The festival secretariat confirmed that journalists will continue to receive physical media passes, dismissing claims that access would be managed exclusively through QR codes. However, QR technology will be used internally to regulate access for staff and accredited participants, replacing the labor-intensive production of multiple entry cards.
Cost control has extended to hospitality. The festival has dropped the long-standing practice of providing meals to attendees, a decision that follows years of controversy and rising expenses.
Another likely casualty is the printed daily bulletin, traditionally produced and distributed throughout the festival. Organizers are expected to rely instead on existing print and digital media coverage, trimming both production costs and staffing needs.
The administrative footprint has also been reduced. A permanent, scaled-down secretariat has replaced the bustling temporary offices of previous years, with a small core team handling preparations.
Speculation continues over the size of the main competition, with indications that more than the previously suggested 22 films could be admitted due to strong submission numbers.
The changes amount to a calculated intervention in a 44-year-old national institution. While the reforms carry reputational risk, organizers argue that resizing the festival is unavoidable if it is to remain sustainable under tighter economic constraints.