FIFF names Iranian women directors participating with short films

The 2021 edition of the Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) has announced the short films made by Iranian women directors to take part in the Cinema Salvation section.

According to the Secretariat of the annual event, 12 foreign short films will compete with the three Iranian productions, including ‘Emergency’, ‘Little Panda, Big Panda’, and ‘Yocheved’.

Directed by Maryam Esmikhani, the 15-minute ‘Emergency’ is about an emergency doctor who visits a house to treat the mother of a seven-year-old girl. During the visit, the girl tries to tell a secret to the doctor.

Directed by Sahar Khoshnam, the 15-minute ‘Little Panda, Big Panda’ tells the story of Leila and Farid who live together. One day Leila decides to book a restaurant for dinner. Amid an old argument, Farid’s wife shows up.

Directed by Sahar Khoshcheshman, the 15-minute ‘Yocheved’ is about two Afghan immigrants who decide to immigrate to the US. They scam rich kids to make money for the travel. The dilemma is that the money is only enough to cover travel expenses of one of them.

Along with feature films, the mission of the FIFF is to screen some of the most innovative international short films. The Cinema Salvation (Short Film Competition) section brings together filmmakers from around the world for an outstanding presentation of cinematic excellence and brand new directing talent.

This year, the FIFF will open in Tehran on May 26 and run until June 2.

Iranian filmmaker and writer Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpour, the secretary of the FIFF, said that most sections of the upcoming edition of the festival will take place online.

He added that Fajr screenings will take place at a number of outdoor movie theaters this year in an unprecedented move.

The 2020 edition of the FIFF was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since its establishment in 1982, the Fajr Film Festival has played a vital role in the development of Iranian Cinema.

The 2021 edition of the national version of the festival was held on January 31-February 10.

MG/MG