Tirana filmfest picks ‘Botox’ as best debut feature

The 19th edition of the Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) in Albania has honored Iranian-German drama ‘Botox’ as best debut feature.

The film was screened at ‘Eye on TIFF’, a section dedicated to the debut feature film competition.

Directed by Kaveh Mazaheri, the movie is about Akram and Azar, two siblings who have lied to everyone about their brother’s disappearance. They have told others that he fled to Germany and that they have no news of him.

Gradually, the lie turns into reality in Akram’s mind. She starts to count the days for her brother to come back.

Mazaheri’s movie grabbed best screenplay and best film awards at the Torino Film Festival and best actress award at the Torino Underground Cinefest, both in Italy. It also brought Mazaheri the first-film director award at the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.

Sousan Parvar, Mahdokht Molaee, Soroush Saeedi, Morteza Khanjani and Mohsen Kiani are among the cast members of the flick.

‘Botox’ has so far gone on screen at some global events, including the Bucharest International Film Festival in Romania, the Torino Underground Cinefest in Italy, the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film in Jordan, the Beijing International Film Festival in China, the Salento International Film Festival (BISCEGLIE) in Italy, the Burgas International Film Festival in Bulgaria, and the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran.

The 19th TIFF announced its winners on Thursday. ‘Identifying Features’ directed by Fernanda Valadez from Mexico was selected as best feature and ‘A Fish Swimming Upside Down’ brought best director award to Eliza Petkova from Germany.

‘The Exam’, a co-production from Germany and Iraq, co-written by Shawkat Amin Korki and Mohamedreza Gohari, won best screenplay award and best short film award went to ‘Menarca’ by Lillah Halla from Brazil.

The award for best live action short film went to ‘Titan’ by Valéry Carnoy from Belgium and ‘Heart of Gold’ by Simon Filliot from France received best animation short film award.

‘Fall of the Ibis King’ by Mikai Geronimo and Josh O’Caoimh from Ireland grabbed the award for best student film went and best documentary award was presented to ‘A Rifle and a Bag’ directed by Cristina Hanes, Arya Rothe and Isabella Rinaldi from India, Romania, Italy and Qatar.

Established in 2003, the TIFF is a cultural event that aims to create a friendly space for cineastes to come together and share experiences.

The 2021 edition of the event was held on September 24-30.

‘The Doll’ directed by Elaheh Esmaeeli was the other representative of Iran at this edition of the Albanian event.

Iranian short films ‘Exam’ by Sonia Haddad and ‘Talker’ by Mehrshad Ranjbar won awards at the 2020 edition of the TIFF.

Read more:

Iranian drama ‘Botox’ reveals trailer

‘Botox’ tops at Torino Film Fest in Italy

‘Botox’ well received at Fajr Int’l filmfest

THR lauds Iran-Canada film with autistic protag

Torino Underground Cinefest honors Iranian actress Sousan Parvar

MG/MG