New York filmfest picks Iranian ‘Alphabet’ as best animation

Iranian ‘Alphabet’ has been chosen as best animated movie at the 2018 edition of the Revolution Me Film Festival in the US.

The animation was also nominated in the Best Story and Best Special Effects categories.

‘Pure White’ by Sven Windszus, ‘Wild Woman’ by Vanessa Sweet as well as ‘Compartments’ by Daniella Koffler and Uli Seis were also nominated for the award.

The award for Best Story went to ‘Push’ by Australian director Gabrielle Kempe, and ‘Caronte’ by Luis Tinoco won the award for Best Special Effects. 

‘Oma’ by Daniella Rabbani from the US received the award for best short film, and ‘Robin’ by Toby and Kevin Schmutzler was named best feature film.

Directed by Kianoush Abedi, ‘Alphabet’ is a 3D animated production of Iran's Documentary and Experimental Film Center in late 2017.

The 6-minute animated piece depicts a nation that has forgotten the alphabet of living. They cannot see, hear, or speak, but the words are waiting for them eagerly.

‘Alphabet’ has so far joined some international film events, winning a number of awards, including the best short film award at the 5th Sayulita Film Festival in Mexico, the Best Experimental and Animation award at the 6th Speechless Film Festival as well as the 15th Southside Film Festival in the US, the 5th Tripoli Film Festival in Lebanon, the 7th Nebrodi Film Festival in Italy, the 4th Muestra Movimiento International Film Festival in Mexico, the 4th Miami Widescreen Film Festival in the US, and the 11th Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco, the US.

Nominated for Best Animation Award at the 2nd Norwegian International Seagull Short Film Festival, it is also set to vie at some global film events in 2018, including the 4th Still Voices Short Film Festival in Ireland, the 17th Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan, the 10th Ortigia International Film Festival in Italy, and the 2nd Palm Springs International short Film Festival in the US.

The Revolution Me Film Festival is important for every artist of every culture to stand for something in their own unique way to create stories that can change the world, according to the festival's official website, which continues, 'the Revolution Me Film Festival wants the new emerging filmmakers to come together and change the world.'

The event that took place in New York September 21-23, 2018.

MG/MF