Veteran directors named ambassadors for organ donation

In a move to promote organ donation, three Iranian film directors have been appointed as new ambassadors for this vital cause.

During the Professional Qualification Award Ceremony for First Film Directors, the Iranian Organ Donation Society and the Farabi Cinema Foundation formalized their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding.

Prominent directors Kianoush Ayyari, Masoud Jafari-Jozani, and Rasoul Sadr-Ameli were introduced as the ambassadors, taking on the role of advocating for organ donation in Iran.

Mohammad Khazaei, the director of the Cinema Organization of Iran (COI), also showed his commitment by receiving an organ donation card, symbolizing his support for this humanitarian effort.

In her speech at the event, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Organ Donation Society Katayoun Najafizadeh highlighted the crucial role filmmakers can play in fostering the culture of organ donation.

"We experience approximately three thousand brain deaths annually, yet only a third of those families give consent to donate the organs," Najafizadeh explained. "If filmmakers can effectively promote this cause, more lives can be saved through organ transplants."

Vice President of the Iranian Society for Organ Donation Omid Qobadi emphasized the society’s willingness to support screenwriters with expert advice.

He noted the significant impact that films like ‘To Be or Not to Be’ by Ayyari have had in raising awareness and inspiring. “Such immortal films can play a crucial role in saving lives,” Qobadi remarked.

Ayyari expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative and revealed his intention to contribute creatively to the cause.

“I have a new idea to help in this life-saving work,” Ayari shared. “I hope to make a heartwarming film about organ transplantation that resonates with audiences.”

The collaboration marks a hopeful step towards increasing organ donation rate in Iran, with influential filmmakers leading the charge in the life-saving campaign.