Iranian series ‘Aban’ wins two awards at Madrid independent film festival
The Iranian drama series Aban, directed by Reza Dadouei and produced by Majid Molaei, won two major honors at the sixth Madrid International Independent Film Festival (FICIMAD 2026) in Spain.
At the festival's closing ceremony, Laleh Marzban received the Best Actress award in the Television and Web Series category for her performance in Aban. Mohsen Chavoshi also won the Best Original Song award for his acclaimed track Wall Clock (Saat-e Divari), which was featured in the series, Tasnim reported.
Aban follows the story of a woman whose innovative, wealth-generating ideas force her to choose between preserving her loving marriage and pursuing her entrepreneurial ambitions.
In its official festival catalog, FICIMAD praised the series as "an engrossing screenplay that grows darker with every moment," highlighting its unpredictable yet effective plot twists that leave audiences "astonished and captivated."
The catalog describes the story as unfolding at a slow but relentless pace, with each narrative turn carrying the impact of "a massive explosion." It also commends the urban setting, saying the city evolves into a character in its own right—a melancholic, almost bleak metropolis that blends Iranian culture with contemporary themes.
The festival further praised the series' soundtrack, describing Amir Tavassoli's score as "outstanding" for conveying a broad range of emotions. It singled out the closing theme, Wall Clock and Gypsy (Saat-e Divari va Koli) by Mohsen Chavoshi, calling it an unforgettable song by a distinguished artist with international appeal.
The Madrid International Independent Film Festival (FICIMAD) is one of Spain's leading events dedicated to independent cinema. Held annually, it showcases film and television productions from around the world while providing a platform for emerging talent and outstanding international works.