Iran filmmaker declines Hollywood invite

Iranian film director Hossein Torkjoush has turned down invitation to head the jury at the Hollywood Week Film Festival in the US.

Torkjoush whose ‘Separation’ has recently won acclaims at several global film events declined the invitation as an opposition to the US assassination of Iran's Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

“In light of the recent events in my country, I withdrew from judging this American film event,’ Torkojush stated.

He also mentioned that “The priority of my personal and artistic life has always been peaceful, regardless of any political perspective.”

The Hollywood Week Film Festival is a biennial event in the US that has been running since 2013. It has been also working on various forms of art and holding festivals under various names over the past few years.

According to earlier news, Iranian director Massoud Bakhshi has also rejected the invitation to the Sundance Film Festival showing sympathy with Iranians as a nation under cruel sanctions.

MM/MG