AVASH NEWS: The agreement was finalized with the signatures of Mehdi Jamalinejad, governor of Isfahan; Raed Faridzadeh, head of the Cinema Organization; Ali Ghasemzadeh, mayor of Isfahan; and Hamed Jafari, CEO of the Farabi Cinema Foundation and secretary of the festival. The event will once again be held in Isfahan this year.
Although Isfahan’s role as host has become part of the identity of the Children’s Film Festival, its hosting in recent years has also drawn criticism over the city’s management and promotional efforts. At one point, moving the festival to another city was even proposed.
At a meeting held at the Isfahan Governorate ahead of National Cinema Day, the parties to the agreement, according to the Farabi Foundation’s public relations office, stressed the need to pool international, national, provincial and municipal capacities to ensure a stronger 38th edition and create greater opportunities for children and young people to take part in the event.
Isfahan’s capacities should be put at the festival’s disposal
Mehdi Jamalinejad, governor of Isfahan, pointed to the province’s long history of hosting the International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults, saying that Isfahan has extensive cultural, social and administrative capacities that should be put to greater use in this year’s festival.
He stressed the need for broad participation by different provincial institutions, adding that the Children’s Film Festival should draw on the capabilities of provincial agencies, cultural centers, artists and organizations active in the field of children and young people to create an inclusive atmosphere both across the province and at the national level.
The governor also emphasized the need for coordination among relevant agencies and for completing the necessary preparations to ensure the festival is held in the best possible manner.
Protecting the festival’s reputation is a responsibility
Raed Faridzadeh, deputy minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance and head of the Cinema Organization, described the International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults as one of the region’s long-established and reputable children’s cinema events.
He said the Children’s Film Festival is an asset for Iranian cinema and that preserving and enhancing its reputation is a responsibility that must be pursued seriously.
“The festival’s presence in Isfahan, along with the strong support of the provincial administration and city authorities, provides a valuable opportunity for successfully holding this edition,” he said, expressing hope that cooperation among all sectors would make the 38th edition notable both in terms of the quality of films and its cultural programs and engagement with young audiences.
The head of the Cinema Organization also stressed the need to strengthen the festival’s national and international standing and use its potential to further develop children’s and young adults’ cinema.
Isfahan’s municipal resources are at the festival’s disposal
Ali Ghasemzadeh, mayor of Isfahan, emphasized the city administration’s readiness to support the 38th International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults, saying the city’s administrative, cultural and promotional capacities would be mobilized to ensure the successful staging of the festival.
“We will seek to make the festival’s presence felt across the city and use the municipality’s facilities and resources to better promote the event and encourage the participation of children and families,” he said.
We have seen growing demand to take part in the festival
Hamed Jafari, CEO of the Farabi Cinema Foundation and secretary of the 38th International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults, pointed to preparations for this year’s edition, saying the festival had seen growth in both the number of submissions and demand for participation.
“We hope this increased participation will ultimately lead to the selection of a notable lineup of films for screening at the festival,” he said.
Jafari added that, alongside film screenings, special programs have been planned for this edition to make the festival increasingly a place for children and young people to experience, learn and actively participate in cinema.
He cited the Youth Filmmaking Olympiad, educational workshops and special side programs for children and young people among the planned sections of the festival.
“The goal is for the festival to go beyond screening films and provide an opportunity to discover talent, offer training and foster a deeper connection between the new generation and cinema,” he said.
The 38th International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults will be held in Isfahan with the participation of the Farabi Cinema Foundation and Isfahan Municipality, under the direction of festival secretary Hamed Jafari.
