About the Festival
Following the governmental murder of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini and inspired by its progressive ideals of the Iranian people’s uprising, the Association of Iranian Film and Theatre Artists Abroad has begun its activities to extend these ideals within the international film and theatre community. The inaugural “Woman, Life, Freedom” Festival aims to showcase creative works that highlight women’s struggles and achievements, promote freedom of expression, support gender equality, and emphasize liberation. Inspired by the recent Iranian women’s movement against oppression, the Association of Iranian Film and Theatre Artists Abroad (AIFTAA) is hosting this festival to amplify the voice of this struggle beyond the border of Iran.
Who We Are
We are a global community of film and theater artists who originally hailed from Iran. Due to restrictions on creative expression in our homeland, we now live and work around the world. Our experiences have strengthened our resolve to support artists and individuals whose freedoms and rights have been compromised. United by the powerful principles of "Woman, Life, Freedom," we are dedicated to advocating for those who face challenges in expressing their artistry and pursuing equality.
Our Goals
1. We aim to build greater support among global film artists for the movement of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ (Persian: Zan, Zendegi, Azadi; Kurdish: Jin, Jiyan, Azadi).
2. Our goal is to amplify the voices of the marginalized until our shared values of freedom and equality are realized.
We are excited to announce that Marjane Satrapi, renowned filmmaker and author, will head our jury this year.
Shei is an acclaimed Iranian-French graphic novelist, filmmaker, and illustrator, best known for her autobiographical graphic novel "Persepolis".
She grew up during the tumultuous period of the Iranian Revolution, experiences she vividly depicted in"Persepolis", which was later adapted into an award-winning animated film co-directed by Satrapi herself.
The novel and film offer a poignant, personal account of her childhood in Iran, her teenage years in Europe, and her struggle to reconcile her Iranian heritage with Western culture. Satrapi's work is celebrated for its bold, honest portrayal of identity, freedom,
and the human experience, making her a powerful voice in contemporary literature and cinema. In addition to "Persepolis", Satrapi has directed other films, such as
"Chicken with Plums","La bande des Jotas", "The Voices","Radioactive", and "Dear Paris" showcasing her versatility and continued influence
in both visual and narrative arts.
She is the only Iranian who recently became an academician in the French Academy of Fine Arts in the field of cinema. She was awarded The Legion of Honor medal on July 14 and also during the upcoming Venice International film festival, she will receive the 2024 Princess of Asturias Foundation Award for communication and humanities because she is “an essential voice in the defense of human rights and freedom.”
The rest of our esteemed jury members are: Mairi Cameron, Maryam Keshavarz, Maryam Palizban, Pooya Mohseni, Ashkan Khatibi, and Pegah Ahangarani.
The festival will feature various categories celebrating women's resilience, empowerment, and contributions to society.
The list of nominated films in the first year of our festival in all categories:
Animation:
Baraye
Directed by Shabnam Adiban, Iran, 2:14 min
BORNFREE
Directed by Shikha Patel, United States, 2:00 min
Girls are made to make love
Directed by Jeanne Paturle, Cécile Rousset, Jeanne Drouet, France, 15:49 min
NON
Directed by BARDAUD Camille, ZHANG Tianying, NIU Xiaoning, SIBILLE Julie, NIU Yanfeng, France, 4:53 min
Pomegranate
Directed by Livvy Seabrook-Wilkins, United Kingdom, 2:31 min
The Black Pomegranate
Directed by Ali Zare Ghanatnowi, France, 14:17 min
The Nature of the River
Directed by Agnieszka Waszczeniuk, Poland, 7:44 min
Documentary:
Annie Londonderry
Directed by Erica Yvonne Terenziani, Italy, 15:00
GIRLS: WOMEN TOO EARLY
Directed by Paolo Patruno,Cameroon, 13:29
SHURA
Directed by David Damian Figueroa, Kayvon Derak Shanian, United States, 26:30 min
the Shadow Yearning To Fly
Directed by Elham Ahmadi, Iran, 54 min
The Women Of Nowhere
Directed by Blnd Ali Aziz, Iraq, 20:09 min
They See Red
Directed by Emily Boyle, Aurélie Monnier, Switzerland, 25:00 min
Threads of Resilience
Directed by Javed Hussain, Pakistan, 8:27 min
Experimental:
gap
Directed by Elena Muchnaya, Russian Federation, 18:15 min
Goddess Memory
Directed by Belle Asher, Israel, 3:44 min
Los Sueños - Videodanza -
Directed by María Fernanda Vallejos, Argentina, 7:00
SHAME
Directed by Joo Joostberens, Poland, 1:14 min
The Black Bubble
Directed by Behnam Hojati, Iran, 15:00 min
The Sunset of Green Snails
Directed by Mohammad Hasani, Iran, 9:00 min
The unveiled woman
Directed by Gaia Pulliero, Italy, 2:55 min
Narrative:
Alicia
Directed by Tania Claudia Castillo, Mexico, 12:00 min
Antigone
Directed by Peyman Rajabi, Iran, 19:33 min
Morning or Morning
Directed by Alexey Kazakov, Kazakhstan, 15:00 min
Omayma
Directed by Fabio Schifilliti, Italy, 15:00 min
SENTENCE
Directed by Pastour Clara, France, 13:14 min
The Apple
Directed by Mehmet Acaruk, Turkey, 15:00 min
Awards will be given for the best works in each category, including:
Special Jury Award for the best film (Festival Honorary Award, and cash prize)
Best narrative Film (Festival Honorary Award)
Best Documentary (Festival Honorary Award)
Best Animation (Festival Honorary Award)
Best Experimental (Festival Honorary Award)
Selected films by our esteemed jury will be screened at different locations:
16 September 2024, SAE Theater, Brisbane Jane St, West End QLD 4101, Australia (Opening Ceremony)
16 September 2024, Columbia College, Screening Room #3101104 South Wabash Ave Chicago, IL, United States
17 September 2024, L’Arlequin, 76 Rue de Rennes, 75006 Paris- France
18 September 2024, Wayfarer Theaters, 1850 2nd Street Highland Park, Illinois 60035 , United States
18 September 2024, Nat Taylor Cinema, York University , N102 Ross Building – North, Campus Walk, Toronto, ON M3J 2S5, Canada
18 September 2024, Innis Town Hall Innis College, Innis College, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 1J5, Canada
20 September 2024, Cinema DeSeve, Montréal, Canada
20 September 2024, Sävja Kulturhus, Västgötaresan 133, Uppsala, Sweden
21 September 2024, Zita Folkets Bio, Birger Jarlsgatan 37, Stockholm, Sweden (Closing Ceremony)
And the winners of the first addition of our festival are:
Best Experimental (Festival Honorary Award)
“Los Sueños - Videodanza –” directed by María Fernanda Vallejos (Argentina)
Best Animation (Festival Honorary Award)
“The Nature of the River” directed by Agnieszka Waszczeniuk (Poland)
Best Documentary (Festival Honorary Award)
“SHURA” directed by David Damian Figueroa, Kayvon Derak Shanian (USA)
Best narrative Film (Festival Honorary Award)
"Alicia" directed by Tania Claudia Castillo, Mexico, 12:00 min
Special Jury Award for the best film (Festival Honorary Award, and $1000 cash prize):
“the Shadow Yearning To Fly” directed by Elham Ahmadi (Iran)
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Claudia Ruiz
October 2024 - October 2024
- October 2024
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Didem T.
October 2024 - October 2024
