Iran signs cinema MoU with Russia, S Korea, Iraq

Director of the 32nd International Film Festival for Children and Youth (ICFF) has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cinema cooperation with representatives of Iraq, Russia and South Korea.

International Manager of the ICFF Raed Faridzadeh said the MoU is on festival cooperation and expected to go for promoting all types of cinematic collaborations.

Several sessions of bilateral and multilateral talks with the MoU parties pave the way for the agreement to set the ground for cooperation among Asian and Eurasian countries, he added.

The Korean representative Deoun Seo expressed hope that the MoU will lead to more future cooperation and setting the ground for more efforts aimed at a better future for children.

The Russian representative Nikolai Daan said the MoU will open doors to European and Asian countries.

At the end of the meeting, the ICFF director Alireza Tabesh said Iran has signed many MoUs with other countries, but the current one is focused specifically on Eurasia.

He expressed hope that the MoU would lead to much stronger and comprehensive cooperation among Iran, Russia and South Korea on cinema.

Meeting the Iraqi representative in a separated session, Tabesh expressed hope that the MoU opens doors to both countries’ cinematic exchanges.

“People of the two countries share deep cultural bonds, and the trade, economic and various cultural and artistic relations have been broadened,” he added.

Iraq’s Director General of Cinema and Theater expressed gratitude for being invited in Iran for the ICFF and emphasized that the experiences gained as a result of his presence in IFFCY will be transferred to the interested Iraqi youth.

Iraq sees no country better than Iran for supporting Iraqi people in all areas, including cultural and artistic fields, Mussa added.

The ICFF is annually organized by the Iranian Organization of Cinema and Audiovisual Affairs, Farabi Cinema Foundation and the Municipality of Isfahan.

Showcasing quality national and international films and works for children and young adults; creating a platform for the presence of professionals and cineastes active in the cinema industry for children and young adults; boosting collaboration and production of films for children and young adults by creating interaction among creators, experts and the audience; and promoting knowledge transfer and exchange of products of high artistic value, capable of contributing to cultural as well as social growth are among main objectives of the festival.

The 32nd ICFF was held on August 19-26, 2019 in the Iranian historic city of Isfahan.

MG/AG