Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, visited different sections of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival at Honar Shahr Aftab Cineplex in Shiraz on the festival’s fifth day.
Rouhollah Hosseini, the festival director, met with the Pakistani minister at the film market and Pakistan’s booth to discuss and exchange views on potential cinematic collaborations. Hosseini welcomed the minister’s presence and expressed his pleasure, saying: “Unfortunately, no films from Pakistan are being screened at this year’s festival. However, we hope that next year a co-produced film between Iran and Pakistan will be part of the festival.”
Minister Khichi also expressed his happiness at being in Shiraz and attending the Fajr International Film Festival: “It is a great honor for me to participate in this festival. The Pakistani government decided to send a delegation at ministerial level to the Fajr International Film Festival to convey to the world that Iran and Pakistan are two friendly and brotherly countries.”
He added: “God willing, next year we hope to present a film co-produced by both countries at the festival. I also hope that an Iranian delegation will visit Pakistan to explore opportunities for joint production. I hope the Fajr International Film Festival can send a message to the world that Iran is an ancient country with a rich, diverse, and fascinating culture.”
During the visit, Hosseini noted: “The festival includes a section called Talent Campus, which focuses on cinema education. We are ready to collaborate with Pakistan in providing filmmaking training for young people. In this section, instructors are selected from among Iranian and international filmmakers for training purposes.”
Hosseini emphasized: “If you can introduce groups of 10 to 20 young Pakistani participants, we can organize intensive filmmaking courses either in Iran or Pakistan. In my view, this is one of the best ways to pave the path for future joint productions.”
He concluded: “We are ready to share Iran’s cinematic expertise by offering courses ranging from two weeks to one month for young Pakistani filmmakers.”
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.
