Iranian short film ‘When Sanam Cried’ has been awarded the best film title at the 21st Caminhos Film Festival in Portugal.
Participating in the Essays Selection Award, the film directed by Fariborz Ahanin and Majid Sheyda won the Best International Essay Award, Mehr News Agency reported.
Announcing the winners at the closing ceremony (Dec. 4), the jury selected the film as the winner for its emotional impact on the audience.
It tells the story of Sanam, a 6-year-old girl, who has not cried since birth. Doctors said she would become severely depressed if she does not cry. Her older sister shares a film of Sanam on the internet and asks people to offer a way to make her cry.
The 30-minute movie won the best film award at New York’s ICP Entertainment Short Film Festival in October.
Its national achievements include the best film and best screenplay award at the 52nd Regional Festival of Iranian Youth Cinema in Abadan and the best director, best screenplay and best actress at the International Children Film Festival in Isfahan.
Zahra Jazini, Elham Zanjani, and Sahar Pourkhalil are in the cast.
This year’s edition of the festival featured more than 150 films in competition from 30 nations. It is a reference event in Portuguese cinema, encompassing animations, documentaries, short films and feature films. It focuses on bringing the creators to the spotlight, and interaction at all levels.
