Iran short to vie in US

Iran award-winning short 'Saad's Olive Tree' is set to compete at Garden State Film Festival in the US.

Directed by Ahmad Zayery, the short will vie at the competition section of the 16th Garden state Film Festival, New Jersey's Premier Independent Film Festival, US.

The flick has so far bagged several awards including a second prize for Best Director and the jury's special mention for Best Film at the 14th edition of Manchester International Film Festival in UK.

A brief synopsis for the film reads, 'Saad is a Syrian boy who loves football with big dreams. He loses his eyes and friends in a mortar explosion and because of that, he locks himself up at home. His mother, though, does so much to encourage him to go out again.'

The artistic philosophy of the Garden State Film Festival is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and the creation of a forum where local and other independent filmmakers can exhibit their work.

The 16th edition of the event is slated to launch on March 22-25, 2018.

AA/MM