Driving the news:
Festival secretary Rouhollah Hosseini said 46 selected works from filmmakers across 35 countries were screened over the seven-day event, including 10 Iranian films that drew strong audience interest.
Why it matters:
The festival remains Iran’s most prominent international cultural platform, a space where Iranian cinema asserts its independence and creative vitality. The festival is a symbol of Iran’s cultural resilience and global artistic engagement.
What happened:
The closing ceremony featured:
The presence of senior Iranian cultural officials, artists, and international guests.
Announcement of winners in the Photography and Video Section, with jurors Alfred Yaghoubzadeh, Behrouz Shoaibi, and Majid Saeedi presenting the awards.
Screening of the festival’s top 60-second film.
Awards included:
Honorary Diploma for Best 60-Second Film: Ali Tavasoli
Crystal Simorgh (Phoenix) Award for Best Photo: Sobhan Farajvand
The Crystal Simorgh Special Jury Prize was awarded to the Sri Lankan film “Riverstone,” directed by Ealit Ratnayake. During the ceremony, it was announced that the Crystal Simorgh for Best Film would be shared between two works, with the cash prize split between them.
The first Simorgh went to “Round 13” from Tunisia, directed by Mohamed Ali Nahdi and produced by Malek Kouchbati. The second Simorgh was awarded to “Two Faces of Autumn,” a co-production of Iran, Australia, and Canada, directed by Ronak Taher and produced by Amir Parvin Hosseini.
The big picture:
For decades, the Fajr International Film Festival has served as a bridge between Iranian artists and global filmmakers. This year’s broad international participation underscores continued interest in Iranian cinema and cultural production.
What they are saying:
Festival secretary Rouhollah Hosseini said, "46 selected works from filmmakers from thirty-five countries were screened in different sections during the seven-day festival. Hosseini said, "Of these, ten films were dedicated to filmmakers from our country, which were well received by film and cinema enthusiasts. Ten of the screened films were by Iranian filmmakers, and they were met with strong enthusiasm from cinema lovers."
Abbas Salehi, Minister of Culture of Iran, in his speech, welcomed the Minister of Culture and National Heritage of Pakistan, the high-ranking film delegations of 15 countries, ambassadors residing in Iran, and guests from all over Iran and the world.
He added, "The Fajr International Film Festival is an opportunity to remember an art that has taught us to see differently for years; an art that gives us the courage to imagine, frames the narrative in a meaningful way."
Pointing to the 12-day war launched by the Israeli regime against Iran, he added, "In such times, art cannot remain silent, and cinema can be the narrator of this resistance and preserve these wounds and this bravery so that the collective memory of Iran and the world remains bright and enduring."
Salehi also emphasized the importance of making common beliefs the starting point for international cooperation and joint cinema productions.
"I wish Iranian cinema and all those who believe in peace, justice, spirituality, humanity, faith, and the power of narrative, enlightenment, and success. Thank you for your presence. May God protect Iran," he concluded.
Between the lines:
Strong turnout from foreign filmmakers signals enduring interest in Iranian cultural spaces.
Go deeper:
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Chinese Director to Iran Press: Iranian Films Enrich My Teaching
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