Qoqnus Screen Awards announces winners

The 11th edition of the Qoqnus Screen Awards in Iran has announced its winners.

‘The Situation of Mehdi’ won the best film prize at the awarding ceremony which was held online and streamed live on IRIB’s channel for documentary cinema – Ofoq.

The movie, produced by Habibollah Valinejad and directed by Hadi Hejazifar, is a war drama portraying the life story of Mehdi Bakeri, the chief of IRGC 31st Shura Division that carried out several major operations during the war.

The cast list includes the director, Zhila Shahi, Vahid Hejazifar, Masoumeh Rabbaninia, Vahid Aqapour, and Rouhollah Zamani.

‘The Situation of Mehdi’ was nominated in 14 categories and won five Chrystal Simorgh awards at the 40th Fajr Film Festival.

‘No Prior Appointment’ directed by Behrouz Shoeibi was honored as the runner-up of the Qoqnus Screen Awards this year.

It follows Yasamin, a woman who returns to her homeland Iran after years of living in exile in Germany due to the death of her father. Her six-year-old autistic son makes her visit to Iran more difficult, however, in her short stay in Iran, she achieves a new understanding of humanity and death.

‘No Prior Appointment’ won the Golden Simorgh for best film from the national perspective at the 40th Fajr Film Festival.

The third prize of the Qoqnus Screen Awards went to ‘Henas’ by Hossein Darabi. It is about the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Daryoush Rezaeenejad.

‘The Situation of Mehdi’ and ‘No Prior Appointment’ were also highly welcomed at the National Will Manifestation Awards, a supplement to the FFF.

Organized by the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization, the Qoqnus Screen Awards annually honors revolutionary films and cineastes.

MG/MG