US filmfest nominates Iran’s ‘Sonita’

The 2017 edition of the LA Film Festival in the US has nominated Iranian documentary ‘Sonita’ directed by Rokhsareh Ghaem-Maghami.

The event’s website recently announced the list of nominees in different categories, nominating ‘Sonita’ in the Best Documentary category of Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The Iranian film will compete with ‘13th’ directed by Ava DuVernay, ‘Cameraperson’ directed by Kirsten Johnson, ‘I am not Your Negro’ directed by Raoul Peck, ‘O.J.: Made in America’ directed by Ezra Edelman, and ‘Under the Sun’ directed by Vitaly Mansky.

The acclaimed and award-winning documentary ‘Sonita’ is about an Afghan female rapper and refugee in Tehran who has to overcome many hardships to accomplish her dreams.

The film was premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the festival's World Documentary Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award.

The Iranian female filmmaker Ghaem-Maghami studied filmmaking and animation in Tehran Art University. She has made 6 documentaries and won more than 20 international awards.

The LA Film Festival is a premiere platform for the exhibition of select new works from emerging and established independent storytellers with unique voices and innovative visions.

Taking place June 14 - 22, 2017, the LA Film Festival showcases compelling new independent films, TV, emerging online content and filmmaker-driven studio titles.

MG/HY