TEHRAN – The 8th edition of the Parvin Etesami Film Festival, which highlights films on the theme of women, opened at the Iranian Artists Forum in Tehran on Monday.
Two actresses, Negar Javaherian and Taraneh Alidusti, received lifetime achievement awards from actress Gohar Kheirandish, the Persian service of MNA reported on Tuesday.
“I wish festivals like this, as an independent cinematic movement, would be held more to support short films and independent movies,” Javaherian said in her acceptance speech.
The festival began with a message from Director of the Cinema Organization of Iran Hojjatollah Ayyubi, in which he called the event a festival of stars.
“It is a festival as lofty as the Iranian women who sincerely try to immortalize their art,” reads part of the message.
Director of the forum Majid Sarsangi also made a brief speech, saying that there has been widespread discrimination against women especially in the world of art and cinema.
“The active participation of female filmmakers in this festival is a shining example to challenge the typical image the Western media tries to present of women in general,” he added.
“I have always emphasized that due attention to art and culture has a significant impact on correction of world’s attention to Iranians and their rich culture,” he added.
A fireworks display and a cake cutting ceremony were the closing programs of the event.
RM/YAW
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