Iran’s Best Animations Awarded

TEHRAN (FNA)- The organizers of the 12th annual Iran Cinema Celebration held their animation festival in a ceremony that took place on Friday evening at the Aseman Art and Cultural Complex.

Several officials from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the House of Cinema, as well as a group of Iranian artists and animators attended the ceremony, MNA reported.

Cultural official Bahman Habashi made the opening speech and announced that the ministry is doing its best to revive Iran’s national animation, saying, “The ministry has renewed its efforts to help screen animation productions in Iran’s cinema halls.”

He added that Iran’s art of animation is developing and that, “We must try to help animation attain its rightful status in the region and in the world.”

“The discovery of the earthenware bowl at the Burnt City which bears images of what experts believe is the world’s oldest animated picture, proves that Iran is the first country familiar with animation and that it must attempt to return to its leading position,” he explained.

Afterwards, the ceremony continued with giving awards and honorary diplomas to the winners. Masters Ali Akbar Sadeqi, Abolfazl Razani, Saeid Tavakolian, and Nureddin Zarrinkelk were among those who gave out the prizes.

Marjan Farsad received the best screenplay honorary diploma for “Muli”.

Mahin Javaherian received the best mise en scene diploma for “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs”.

Lida Fazli received the best animating diploma for “Why Do Dogs Hate Cats?”

The best short animation award went to “Shekarestan” produced by Masoud Safavi.

The best feature-length animation award went to “Ashuraiian” by Mostafa Hosseini.

Babak Nazari also won the jury special award for directing “Shekarestan”.

The ceremony ended with a live music performance that included playing soundtracks of famous Iranian movies.