I acted in Fajr film for Gaza children: Syrian actress

Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji has said she took on a role in an Iranian film to stand with the children of Gaza.

She made the statement at a ceremony on Monday, which was held in her honor as part of the Fajr National Film Festival in Iran.

It followed a screening of her new movie, 'The Land of Angels' directed by Babak Khajeh-Pasha. The film focuses on the suffering of mothers and children during wartime.

Senior Iranian cultural officials attended the ceremony to welcome the actress.

"I put my heart into this role," Fawakherji told the audience. "My wish was to do something for the oppressed children of Gaza."

The host and other speakers praised her performance. They stated she did not merely play a character, but embodied the role with deep conviction.

The film's director and producers also spoke at the ceremony. They emphasized the project's goal of artistically highlighting the civilian cost of the war in Gaza.

The 2026 Fajr National Film Festival officially opened last week.

This edition of the event’s Sodaye-Simorgh (the festival's main competition section) is screening 31 feature-length narrative films vying for the prestigious Crystal Simorgh awards.

And two films are being screened out of competition.

The selection presents a dynamic mix of established masters and promising newcomers.

The event runs until February 11.