The 32nd Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) wrapped up on Tuesday, by awarding the winners in different sections.
‘A Warm Spell’, directed by Toshimichi Saito from Japan, won the Festival Grand Prix Prize in the international section, Honaronline reported.
Yoshihiro Nakayama, counselor at the Embassy of Japan in Iran, received the trophy and the certificate on behalf of director Saito, who was not present.
The closing ceremony was held at Andisheh Hall, Howzeh Honari (Art Forum) in Tehran in presence of head of Iran Cinema Organization Hojatollah Ayoubi, Festival Secretary Farid Farkhondeh-Kish and young and veteran cineastes.
Best Narrative Film award went to ‘It Will Be Alright’ by Austrian director Patrick Vollrath. The Best Animation award was presented to ‘Shop of SongBirds’ by Ukrainian filmmaker Anatoliy Lavrenishyn. Best Documentary award was given to ‘Touch of Freedom’ by Indian-origin Polish director Sardar Arshad Khan.
‘Eat my Dream’ by German director Jessica Durwald was awarded the Best Film prize. Jury Special Prize was awarded to ‘Survival’ by Masoud Hatami from Iran. Best Asian Film award went to ‘Electric Town’ by Tony Mullen from Japan.
The award for the Best Film from an Islamic Country was awarded to ‘Prohibition’ by Saeed Nejati from Iran and the award for the Best Film Against Violence and Extremism was awarded to ‘Angelus Novus’ by Iranian-origin Aboozar Amini from the Netherlands.
The jury president was Andrzej Bednarek, professor at the prestigious National Film, Television and Theater School in Lodz, Poland. Other members included Matthias Flugge from Germany, Alireza Shoja-Noori from Iran, Seigo Tono from Japan and Yuk Mui Chang Gipsy from Hong Kong.
National Section
A total of 17 Iranian cineastes were awarded in the national section in different categories.
Describing this year’s edition as a festival filled with vitality and full of hope for the future, Farkhondeh-Kish, also head of Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS), organizer of the festival, said, “Short films make the future of our cinema and it is supported by filmmakers from 12 years of age to the veterans.”
Ayoubi appreciated the efforts by the IYCS in promoting filmmaking among the young talent across the country and said, “last year Iran cinema produced 97 feature films and collected 234 international awards which exceeded previous years in garnering awards”.
He expressed satisfaction with the status of Iranian cinema in the international arena and added, “It has been more than thirty years that Iranians speak with the world through producing beautiful motion pictures. In a world full of violence and weapons, Iranians use the language of art which is derived from our rich ancient culture and I hope the young follow the same path till they become professionals”.
The week-long event screened over 150 local and foreign films and had many sessions on the sidelines.
