Iran urban fest unravels national, int'l juror names

Latest edition of International Urban Film Festival in Iran has unveiled juror names with some international figures serving on the panel.

According to PR office of the Urban Filmfest quoted by local media on Friday, the jurors for the international section of event, to be held 31 July-5 August, is comprised of popular Iranian actress Merila Zarei and noted Iran director Majid Majidi as well as international artists from Malaysia, Italy and France.

One of the standouts among the overseas jurors is Samy Naceri who is a French actor best known for his work in the original ‘Taxi’ film and its three sequels. He shared the Best Actor awards ‘Days of Glory’ at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

Noted Malaysian director U-Wei Bin HajiSaari also serves as a juror. His film ‘The Arsonist’ turned international heads and was the first Malaysian film to make it to the Cannes Film Festival in 1995.

Zarei, the Iranian actress on the panel of the event, has appeared in numerous series, such as ‘Khazra High School’ (1995-1996), ‘Fresh Air’ (1996), ‘Seasoned Rider’ (1997), ‘Tomorrow's Too Late’ (1997), ‘The Story of a City’ (1999-2000), ‘A Place of Love’ (2000), ‘Time of Fury’ (2000), ‘The Young Officer’ (2001), ‘The Seamen’ (2002), and ‘The Pahlavi Hat’ (2012-2013).

The actress won a Crystal Simorgh from the Fajr International Film Festival for Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘Track 143’ (2013).

Meanwhie, internationally recognized Iranian director Majidi has gained several awarsd such as The Best Director Award and the Best Screenplay Award from Gijón International Film Festival,  and Douglas Sirk Award from Hamburg Film Festival for ‘Baran’.

He won FIPRESCI Prize from Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival for ‘Barefoot to Herat' and Special Prize of the Young Jury from Gijón International Film Festival for ‘The Color of Heaven’.

He has also directed religious blockbuster ‘Muhammad: The Messenger of God’ (2015) which enjoys domestic and international cast and crew as well as drawing big crowds at the global level.

AG/AG