Houston filmfest shortlists ‘Golnesa’

The 51st edition of the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in the US has nominated Iranian feature ‘Golnesa’.

Directed by Sattar Chamani-Gol, the Iranian movie is placed among the nominees for the Remi Award of the US event.

‘Golnesa’ tells the story of a young Afghan couple, Golmammad and Golnesa, who are illegal immigrants in Iran.

Working in a traditional brick-making kiln in the suburbs of Tehran, they have to deal with challenges of illegal immigration as well as routine life hardships.

Saeed Dakh, Saqi Zinati, Yeganeh Rajabi, Ali-Mohammad Radmanesh and Masoud Mohammadi are among the cast.

Born in 1978 in the Iranian city of Sanandaj, Chamani-Gol began his professional career with theater in 1991 and made his first film in 2001.

Besides making a number of short films, series and acting in some titles, he has directed more than 20 documentaries.

Founded over 50 years ago as an International Film Society in August 1961, the WorldFest became the third competitive international film festival in North America.

As one of the oldest Independent Film & Video Festival in the World, it evolved into a competitive International Film Festival in April 1968.

The WorldFest-Houston is dedicated to recognizing excellence in various types of independent films and filmmaking.

The 51st annual WorldFest-Houston International Independent Film Festival is slated for April 20-29, 2018, to be held in Houston, Texas, the US.

MG/MG