Russian ethnic festival awards Iranian film
Iranian feature film ‘Havar’ (Poultry Farm) won the Best Screenplay award and the Special Jury Prize for Best Music at the Mari International Ethnic Film Festival in Russia, its producers said.
Written and directed by Mohammadreza Ardalan and produced by Bahman Ardalan, the film earned the screenplay prize for Ardalan, while composer Navid Hejazi received the Special Jury Prize for his original score. International distribution is handled by Madakto Pictures, ILNA reported.
Released overseas under the title ‘Poultry Farm,’ the film was originally produced as Faryad (Cry), but was renamed ‘Havar’ before receiving its Iranian screening permit to avoid confusion with a film of the same name by veteran Iranian director Masoud Kimiai.
The Mari International Ethnic Film Festival showcases films exploring cultural identity, heritage and indigenous traditions from around the world. The latest honors add to the international profile of Iranian cinema, which has maintained a consistent presence on the global festival circuit despite limited commercial distribution abroad.
The Best Screenplay award recognized Ardalan's script, while the jury praised Hejazi's score with its Special Jury Prize, citing its contribution to the film's narrative and emotional depth.