Fajr filmfest to avoid opening ceremony

The 38th edition of the Fajr Film Festival (FFF) has been set to be held without inaugural ceremony.

Following the widespread flooding that affected Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province, this year's inauguration ceremony of the Fajr Film Festival will not take place, and Iranian filmmakers will be helping people in the flood-hit areas.

According to a statement released earlier, the FFF’s public relations office expressed condolences to the people of Iran over the recent tragic events and announced that one or two days before the festival’s opening, artists, with the support of the Tehran Municipality which is the main sponsor of the fest this year, will be traveling to Sistan and Baluchestan Province to provide assistance and compassion to those affected by the flood.  

Ebrahim Daroughehzadeh, the secretary of the upcoming edition of the festival, has also declared that the decision has been made in order to also commemorate the martyrs of recent events. And Iranian filmmakers, in line with their social responsibility, will participate in this humanitarian movement.

Established in 1982, the FFF is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and pays tribute to local and international films.Since its establishment, the FFF has played a vital role in the development of the Iranian Cinema.

Supervised by Iran’s Ministry of Culture, the festival hosts veteran directors and new filmmakers from Iran and across the world every year.

The FFF is held annually to mark the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and as a part of the 10-day celebration in the country on the occasion.

The 38th FFF is set to kick off on February 1, 2020 and will run till February 11 in Tehran.

MM/MG