The closing ceremony of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival was held at Shahr-e-Aftab Cinema Complex in Shiraz, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, provincial leaders, cinema authorities, artists, and international guests. The ceremony opened with verses from the Quran and the Iranian national anthem, followed by a showcase of films from different festival sections.
Festival Highlights and Reflections
Festival director Rouhollah Hosseini reflected on the emotional essence of cinema, emphasizing that the value of films lies not in numbers but in the feelings they evoke. He praised the collaboration of organizers, filmmakers, and local hosts, highlighting the warmth of Shiraz and its people, and celebrated the enduring connection between poetry, art, and Iranian cinema.
Key Awards
Broken Olive Section:
Diploma of Honor: From Zero Land (Palestine, Qatar, Switzerland, Denmark)
Best Film: What Remains of You (Germany, Cyprus, Palestine, Jordan, Greece, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), directed by Shirin Dabirs
Perspective Section:
Special Jury Prize: Riverstone (Sri Lanka), directed by Elit Rathnayake
Best Films (Shared):
Round 13 (Tunisia), directed by Mohamed Ali Nahdi
Two Faces of Autumn (Iran, Australia, Canada), directed by Ronak Taher
East Showcase Section:
Best Artistic Achievement: The Calm Man (Iran), directed by Behnoush Sadeghi
Special Jury Prize: Agreement (Egypt, Qatar, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia), directed by Mohamed Rashad
Best Film: Where the White Cranes Dance (Russia), directed by Michael Lukachovski
International Competition:
Best Film: Lessons Learned (Hungary), directed by Balint Simler
Best Director: Mars to May (Czech Republic), directed by Martin Pavel Repka
Best Screenplay: Look at Me (Russia), directed by Vladimir Gramatikov
Best Artistic Contribution: My Father’s Scent, actor Ahmad Malek
Special Jury Prize: River’s Return (Japan), received by producer Mayumi Fukuhara
Tributes and Cultural Remarks
The festival also honored notable figures, including photographer Alfred Yaghoubzadeh and filmmaker Reza Mirkarimi. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Abbas Salehi highlighted the role of cinema in fostering cultural dialogue, preserving collective memory, and connecting humanity, emphasizing the poetic essence of Iranian cinema and the city of Shiraz as a cultural hub.
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival showcased the power of cinema to inspire, unite, and reflect human experience, while celebrating both Iranian heritage and international collaboration.