Sharjah Int’l fest awards Iran’s ‘Wolf Cubs of Apple Valley’

Iranian feature film ‘Wolf Cubs of Apple Valley’ has succeeded to receive an honorary diploma for the best film at the 9th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) in the UAE.

Fereydoun Najafi’s ‘Wolf Cubs of Apple Valley’ had two screenings at the Feature Film Competition Section of the festival on October 11 and 13.

The film’s cinematographer Hossein Seyyedian received the award on behalf of the filmmaker.

Produced by Farabi Cinema Foundation, ‘Wolf Cubs of Apple Valley’ begins with a shot that rings out in the valley, and then Asho’s friend drops to the ground. The rifle’s bullet was meant for Asho; his father is wanted for murder and he, too, is being hunted.

To evade those who are looking for him, Asho is forced to dress up as a girl and hide in his aunt’s house. In his hunt for answers, he heads out to Apple Valley with his cousin, Pari, to look for his mother, whom he has always believed to be dead.

‘Wolf Cubs of Apple Valley’ has already gone on screen at some global events, including the 44th Moscow International Film Festival in Russia, the BUFF International Film Festival in Sweden and the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Iran, where it won Special Jury Award, Golden Butterfly for Best Actor (Mohammadreza Alivar), Golden Butterfly for Best Screenplay, and Golden Butterfly for Best Picture.

The Sharjah festival is dedicated to enhancing the media literacy of children and youth, fostering children’s and youth’s creativity and showcasing the very best in filmmaking for, by and about children and youths.

The SIFF took place from October 10 to 15 in the United Arab Emirates.

MM/AG