Iranian Directors Including Rasoulof In the Spotlight at Toronto Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Mohammad Rasoulof, the Iranian filmmaker who secretly escaped Iran earlier this year, is back in the spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” which...
Film Director Lambastes Journalist Over Opposition To Hijab
Marzieh Boroumand, a veteran Iranian film and television director who has come out against the compulsory hijab, has also criticized those who incite civil unrest, particularly from outside the country.
A recent message on her...
Defying political pressure, Iranian director keeps camera running
CANNES, France (Reuters) – When Iranian authorities sentenced Mohammad Rasoulof to jail, they may have hoped the filmmaker would stop work or at least tone down his movies that lay bare legal and political injustices...
Iranian Short Film Association Calls on Government to Ease Censorship
By Azadeh Karimi
The Iranian Short Film Association (ISFA), a nonprofit non-governmental organization operating under the auspices of the Iranian House of Cinema, released a statement recently calling on the Ministry of Culture and Islamic...
Oscars Academy Invites Samira Makhmalbaf, Three Other Iranian-Born Talents to Join
By Nazanine Nouri and Kayhan Life Staff
Hollywood is honoring Iranian-born talent.
Four film-industry professionals have been invited to join the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences -- the panel that elects the winners...
Iran Cinema Organization Chief Praises IRGC-Linked Film Body
Many members of Iran's artistic community have criticized filmmakers who have worked with the Peace Cultural and Media Organization, which has close links to the IRGC, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. This has not...
Shirin Ebadi Attends Venice Film Festival For World Premiere of Documentary On Her Life
By Nazanine Nouri
The world premiere of the documentary “Shirin Ebadi: Until We are Free” took place this week at the Venice International Film Festival, in the presence of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin...
Jailed Iranian Filmmaker Panahi Wins Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival
By Ahmad Rafat
Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears” (Khers Nist) won the Special Jury Prize last weekend at the Venice Film Festival, in a demonstration of solidarity with detained Iranian filmmakers such as himself.
In the festival’s...
Iranian-American Actress Yara Shahidi Stars in ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ With Jude Law
By Nazanine Nouri
The Iranian-American actress and producer Yara Shahidi stars as Tinker Bell in Disney’s new production of the classic novel and 1953 animation movie “Peter Pan” which is available on Disney+.
“Peter Pan &...
Iranian Cinema’s New Hope: Panah Panahi, London Film Festival Award Winner
By Ahmad Rafat
Iranian director Panah Panahi’s first feature film “Hit the Road” won the Best Film Award at the 65th BFI London Film Festival last month. Panahi was up against stiff competition for the...