Lisbon Children fest screening ‘The Eleventh Step’ in Iran

The Lisbon International Children and Youth Film Festival (Festival PLAY) in Portugal has been playing host to Iranian short animation ‘The Eleventh Step’.

Directed by Maryam Kashkoulinia, the animated short is on screen along with works from Russia, Germany, Portugal, the UK and France at the 10th edition of the Portuguese film event.

‘The Eleventh Step’, which focuses on the themes of freedom and captivity, is inspired by a book with the same title written by Sousan Taqdis. It is an attempt to persuade children to try more to achieve better results.

Although the animation targets 7-12 year-old children, the director believes that it has a lesson for the adults too.

Previously, ‘The Eleventh Step’ participated in the 60th Annecy Int’l Animated Film Festival in France, the 60th Zlin Film Festival in the Czech Republic, the 10th Supertoon Int’l Animation Festival in Croatia, the 2020 Int’l Children’s Film Festival - Cinekid in Amsterdam, the 2021 Int’l Children’s Film Festival in Bangladesh, the 17th Sedicicorto Film Festival in Italy, and the 16th Korea Independent Animation Film Festival (Indie-AniFest) in South Korea.

The ten-minute and fifty-second animation is the winner of an honorary award at the 14th Lublin Film Festival (LFF) in Poland.

Festival PLAY is an event totally dedicated to children and young people. It shows the best films in short, medium or long feature formats.

The 10th edition of the fest is taking place in in São Jorge Cinema and Cinemateca Jr venues since February 25 and it is set to wrap up on March 05.

AA/FM