Iranian documentary Baby Digital wins Pasolini award in Italy
Iranian documentary Baby Digital, which examines the effects of excessive screen use on children’s development, has won the 2026 Pasolini Award at the Lucania Film Festival in Italy.
Directed by Mohammad Ahmadi, the documentary was made with the Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (ICBS) at Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) and the Center for the Treatment of Autistic Disorders (CTAD), IRNA reported on Sunday.
The film looks at the effects of prolonged and early exposure to mobile phones, tablets and television on children’s neurological development, including cognitive and executive functions, communication and social skills, behavior and emotional regulation, attention and interaction with their surroundings.
A key focus is the difference between autism spectrum disorder and some developmental and behavioral problems linked to excessive exposure to digital media.
The documentary stresses that developmental disorders require a specialist and comprehensive assessment and that “one cannot judge the presence or absence of a developmental disorder solely on the basis of how much a child uses a mobile phone, tablet or television”.
The film also highlights the importance of a child’s age, the length and pattern of digital media use, and the extent to which screen time replaces real-life interaction, play and physical activity.
Professor Hamidreza Pouretemad, founder of ICBS and CTAD, Dr. Saeid Sadeghi, head of the Psybera Lab, and Dr. Monireh Mansouri, head of the Animal Neurodevelopmental Laboratory, were among the specialists involved in the film’s scientific development, along with the CTAD team.
The project brought together scientific research, clinical experience and documentary storytelling, its makers said.
The award marks an international success for the film and its production team and offers an opportunity to highlight Iran’s scientific and clinical work on children’s neurological development, autism and digital media.
Baby Digital was produced to raise awareness among Iranian families about the effects of excessive digital media use and has been made available to the public free of charge.