The Fajr International Film Festival
Set in the heart of Iran’s capital city, Tehran, Fajr International Film Festival pays tribute to quality national and international films. It is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and newcomers and showcases films promoting artistic contribution to the medium. Moreover, the festival also pays special attention to films that seek justice, and highlight humane and moral values.
The festival focuses especially on films from the Middle East, Central Asia, Caucasus and Anatolia as well as works heralding peace and friendship as true teachings of the holy prophets.
Moreover, Fajr International Film Festival provides a unique platform in this geographic region for an interchange of professional experience and international meetings. In addition, intensive training courses are being offered to young filmmakers if possible.
Meanwhile, the International Film Market, better known as IFM, provides an excellent opportunity for the acquisition and sales of film rights, co-production projects and offers support for the production and screening of new Iranian films. In this edition, the market will be formed as an online event.
After the cancellation of the festival in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the 38th edition of Fajr International Film Festival is scheduled to be held from May 26th to June 2nd, 2021 in Tehran, under the directorship of Iranian filmmaker, Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour.
41st Fajr Internatilnal Film Festival has been held from February 1 to 11, 2023 in Tehran in two competitive sections and a non-competitive section.
Festival sections
Competitive Sections:
International Competition
Eastern Vista (Films from Asian and Islamic Countries)
Non-Competitive Sections:
Festival of Festivals
Docs in Focus
Parallel Sections:
- Special Screenings
- Popular Genre Films
- Olive Branches (a window to the changes in the world of Islam today)
- Retrospective of National Cinemas / Renowned Cineastes
- Restored Classics
Special Events:
- Darolfonoun (Talent Campus for Iranian, Iranian Plateau and World Young Filmmakers)
- Student Lab (in Universities)
- Workshops and Seminars
- Tributes
The festival, started in 1982, is under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Iran. It takes place every year on the anniversary of the Iranian revolution.
The festival has been broadcasted both locally and abroad through television, radio and webinars.
Contributing organizations to the event include the Farabi Cinema Foundation, Iran film foundation, Press TV, HispanTV and Iran’s multi-lingual film channel IFilm (TV channel).
