TEHRAN (FNA)- The opening of the 33rd edition of the Fajr International Film Festival was held in Mellat Cinematic Complex with senior Iranian cinema officials and artists in attendance.

The ceremony was attended by Head of Iran Cinematic Organization Hojjatollah Ayoubi, Director of the festival Alireza Rezadad, Head of the international section of the festival Arash Amini, General Manager of DEFC Mohamad-Mehdi Tabatabayinezhad, General Manager of Frarabi Cinematic Organization, Mohammad Reza Tabesh also cinematic managers, Iranian and international cineastes.


Appreciating the presence of the guests, the Head of Iran Cinematic Organization, Hojjatollah Ayoubi, stated, "I hope Fajr International Film Festival will be the spring for the cinemas of Eastern, Islamic and regional countries."


Addressing the audience, Ayoubi thanked everyone from ambassador to the jury members who had traveled from other countries.


He said he believed that the festival would be successful. "We were praying for a breeze in the opening ceremony, since these strong winds brought the news of holding the festival in a better way.”


Quoting the globally renowned Iranian poem Rumi, he said, "Keep away from fall wind, since it would harm you the way it harms trees; but embrace the spring wind because it is for your own benefit."


He also expressed his gratitude towards the festival’s organizers of Fajr International Film Festival and emphasized that "I hope Fajr International Film Festival will be the spring for the cinemas of Eastern, Islamic and regional countries".


Alireza Rezadad stressed unification of cineastes in order to help the culture flourish in different countries using the language of cinema.


Alireza Rezadad, Director of the Festival at the beginning of the festival in commemorating Iranian martyrs and greeting the international guests, stated, “I hope holding the Fajr International Film Festival separately from the national one will be a big success and thanked the artists and all the Iranian organizers that host the cineaste of the region and the world.”


 “All Iranian cineastes are the hosts of the festival; in the 32rd FIFF, we experienced this separation for the first time. We have experienced 32 years activity with the cineastes in Fajr Festival and now we are holding this section separately.


The Director of the Fajr International Film Festival referred to the importance of the cinema in the culture, and assured that culture has especial characterizations in every society, "however it is impossible to improve the culture without any unification and cinema has an important function in this matter. The language of cinema is the best kind of communication and today cinema can help the culture improve, so it is much better to join our attitudes and share our viewpoints".


“Iranian cinema by itself has tried to introduce its culture, accomplishments, beliefs, and ideas to the world and it is very rewarding that the world audience welcome these themes. We have no doubt that working together with some of common beliefs and deep concepts can help to be believed much more in the world cinema.”


He referred to the attendance of international guests along with the Iranian cineastes in the Fajr International Film Festival, and stated, “Something that has gathered us here is identifying a better scenario than the present one in the region and world to get our audience to salvation. So we have to continue these collaborations in every field and in every region in order to reach perfection.”


Rezadad emphasized the importance of Iranian cinema in meeting this goal and stated, “Iran by itself is ready to share its accomplishments with the other countries and welcome others’ experiences. I hope Fajr Festival will make an opportunity to introduce these films whose aim is human sublimity.”


He continued, “By holding international section separately from the national one, we wanted to make it possible for ourselves and the other cineastes to share our attitudes. Among the different festivals that are being held all over the world, Fajr Festival tries to present films and cineastes that are interested in the theme of sublimity of humans due to its importance in today’s world.”


“We know that this path is very difficult and it would not be possible otherwise we do our best. We don’t leave each other alone but we will help to accomplish this goal as our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the messenger of justice and morality, has asked us.


The Director of the 33rdFajr International Film Festival noted the opening of International Film Festival, and added “May peace be upon him and we start this festival with the name of Holy Mohammad (PBUH).”


The jury members of the different sections of the festival were then announced.


Abbas Kiarostami, Morteza Shayesteh, Bijan Emkanian, Sirous Alvand, and Farzad Motamen were among the guests of the opening ceremony.


The 33rdFajr International Film Festival is held from 25th to May 2nd 2015 in Tehran. This is the first year that the international section of the FIFF is held separate from the national one.


By Fars News Agency