30th Iran`s Fajr Intl. Film Festival kicks off

TEHRAN,Feb.2 (MNA)--The 30th Fajr International Film Festival promoting the motto “Morality, Awareness and Hope” was inaugurated during a ceremony at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall here on Wednesday. The opening ceremony featured an event honoring five Iranian cineastes including cinematographer Alireza Zarrindast, film editor Hossein Zandbaf, directors Mohammad Bozorgnia and Jamal Shurjeh along with actor Davud Rashidi, each of who received a Golden Simorgh during the proceedings. Twenty-six films will be contending for the Crystal Simorgh in the Iranian films competition at the 30th edition of Fajr Film Festival that is running in Tehran and several other Iranian cities from February 1 to 11. Fourteen films from different countries have also found their way into the international section of the festival. Films from Canada, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Britain are seen on the list of movies competing in the international section, known as the Jaam-e Jahan-Nama Section. This year’s festival is playing host to the second conference on “Hollywoodism and Cinema” on the sidelines of the festival running from February 2 to 4. The conference will be opening today at the Presidential Office with an opening speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini, and Iranian Deputy Culture Minister for Cinematic Affairs Javad Shamaqdari will also be attending the conference. Over 40 foreign experts and cinema critics are invited to attend the conference aiming to review the influence of the Zionist regime on Hollywood. This year’s jury is comprised of “Havana File” director Alireza Raissian, “Mokhtarnameh” director Davud Mirbaqeri, and “Alzheimer” director Ahmadreza Motamedi. Filmmakers Abolqasem Talebi, Jamal Shurjeh, and Yadollah Samadi and actor Davud Rashidi have also been selected for the jury. Nine foreign movies will also be screened at the Asian Cinema Section of the festival. Films from China, Japan, South Korea and Turkey will be competing in this section.