FIFF Organizers Cut the Cake to Celebrate 120 Years of Iranian Cinema

 “Beyond the Clouds” directed by Iranian significant filmmaker Majid Majidi  is due to be screened in more than 34 regions including the Persian Gulf littoral states, Canada, North African, Pakistan, India, the US, Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and some other countries.

Majidi’s Indian-set film screened as the opening film of the 36^th edition of Fair International film festival officially kicked off today.

Beyond The Clouds narrates a touching story of a brother and sister, and the way they find each other and how they face the hardships and change through them.

Majid Majidi is one the most well-known and celebrated Iranian filmmakers. His poetic way of  narrating the stories has always had influence on not only Iran’s cinema but also on world’s cinema . He has written and directed many noteworthy films that won worldwide recognitions, notably Children of Heaven and won numerous awards worldwide.

 All mentioned movies are the voice of Iranian culture and people, with the motif of depicting Iran’s image

On Wednesday, Festival Palace Manager and actor Reza Kianian cut the cake with FIFF guests and event organizers to celebrate 120 years of Iranian cinema.

April 18 was concurrent with the official opening of the 36th Fajr International Film Festival. This year’s edition kicked off in the Iranian capital Tehran with the screening of Majid Majidi’s latest English-Hindi film Beyond the Clouds in Felestin cinema. Festival Director Reza Mirkarimi, Deputy Director Mohammad Salavatifard, Head of International Affairs Amir Esfandiari, actor Habib Rezaei, and a host of A-listers and movie fans were in attendance.

There are many other films to be screened at the Charsoo Cineplex – the Festival Palace – and other theaters in Tehran in the next 9 days. These works from around the world will compete for the festival’s top honor. The winner of the top honor will be announced at the closing ceremony based on the decision of an international jury. Asian and European directors and film critics are also a member of the jury.

It’s important to note that the festival’s filmmaking workshops began two days ahead of the official opening. The hugely popular workshops include master classes and discussion panels for writers, directors, producers, and storytellers of all-ages and levels, taught by a supportive group of like-minded creatives and scholars from Iran and across the globe.

Five universities are offering supplemental courses like humanities as well. Educational films are used by professors of courses in the literature and bibliography of the humanities to add interest to the workshop classes, supplement the material which is presented in other ways, and acquaint students with movies in the humanities. Some 110 Iranian and international students study the concepts in film festival management and programming as well, pushing this year’s workshops into the terrain of management theory with a diagrammatic and business-centered approach.

Presided over by writer-director Reza Mirkarimi, the 36th edition of Fajr International Film Festival will continue until April 27. The event organizers expect to receive over 300 special guests from around the world, ranging from filmmakers to screenwriters, actors to activists. A host of A-listers are also scheduled to attend, including legendary Italian actor Franco Nero and influential American film director Oliver Stone.

Presided over by Iranian film writer and director Reza Mirkarimi, the 36th edition of Fajr International Film Festival will be held in Tehran on April 19-27. A host of international A-listers will be attending this year’s event, including legendary Italian actor Franco Nero.