On the fifth day of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, the Vesal International Hall at Homa Hotel in Shiraz became the venue for a pivotal event: a high-level forum aimed at fostering international collaboration in cinema. The session gathered Seyed Abbas Salehi, Iran’s Minister of Culture; Raed Faridzadeh, Head of the Iranian Cinema Organization; Hossein Ali Amiri, Governor of Fars Province; and cultural delegates from 23 countries.
Minister Salehi spoke about the unifying role of cinema on the global stage, referencing prior collaborations with nations such as Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey. He highlighted opportunities for co-productions, exchange of expertise, and the shared utilization of filming locations, while also stressing the importance of cooperation in emerging technological fields.
Faridzadeh portrayed Shiraz as a city of intellect, literature, and dialogue, emphasizing cinema as a vital medium for cultural interaction. He expressed his hope that this forum would lead to meaningful bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
Governor Amiri outlined the province’s cultural richness and ecological diversity, linking Shiraz’s historical importance across the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Islamic eras. He highlighted the city’s artistic and literary heritage, with icons like Hafez and Saadi, as an ideal setting for a global cinematic gathering, and emphasized the festival as a platform to boost international artistic collaboration.
Delegates from countries including Pakistan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Greece, Sri Lanka, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and several African nations shared insights on potential collaborations in filmmaking, talent development, festival participation, and broader cultural exchanges. The consensus highlighted cinema’s crucial role in fostering dialogue, understanding, and peace between nations.
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival runs from 26 November to 3 December in Shiraz. More than 60 films are being screened across sections including International Competition, Eastern Vista, Future Frame, and The Broken Olive, as well as the non-competitive Retrospective & Restorations and Festival of Festivals showcases.
