Iran hosts its 1st National Ethnic Film Festival in Tehran

By Ahmet Dursun

TEHRAN (AA) - Iran's inaugural National Ethnic Film Festival opened to cinema enthusiasts with the screening of approximately 200 films directed by filmmakers from various ethnic backgrounds, including Turks.

The opening ceremony held in Tehran was attended by Iranology Foundation President Mohammad Hossein Rajabi Davani, festival director Mehdi Heydari and numerous artists, directors, writers and guests.

Sixty-five documentaries, 65 short films, 16 feature-length films, 13 animated films and 40 film scripts produced by filmmakers in the country will be screened at cinema halls in Tehran’s Book Garden Cineplex.

Heydari told Anadolu it is the first time the festival is being held in Tehran, with many competing with excellent films. The festival is attended by very important artists and jury members.

Heydari said many artists from Iranian Turks are participating.

Iranian Turkish directors from Ardabil, Zanjan, Urmia, Qazvin, Hamadan and Shiraz have sent films, he said.

Expressing a desire to make the festival international in the coming years, he said: "We want filmmakers from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia, and other countries to send films to this festival. I believe this festival will be permanent."

More than 1,000 films were submitted, of which approximately 200 will be screened during the event, he added.

The event, themed Ethnic Groups, Roots of Iran will continue screening films in four theaters until Sunday.