Focusing on the economics of art, offering cultural products and services as well as introducing Iran�s rich civilization to the world are of importance to the Iranian Film Market (IFM).

Ali Jannati, minister of culture and Islamic guidance, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 18th IFM, which was held concurrent with the international section of the 33rd Fajr Film Festival at Mellat Cineplex in Tehran on Monday (April 27).

Economics of art and culture means local products should enter the global market. �Whether it is books published, plays staged or movies screened abroad, they benefit the authors and the country as well,� said Jannati.

A total of 300 local feature, short and documentary films and animations have been presented at the IFM where over a hundred producers, festival directors and distributers are attending, according to the Public Relations Office of the festival.

One of the goals pursued at the IFM is to further cooperation between Iran and international producers to make joint films. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between Farabi Cinema Foundation and a Chinese media corporation at the foundation stall in the market to coproduce the movie �Shaolin Way�.

The foundation, operating under the supervision of the culture ministry, is active in producing films, screening local films abroad, and cooperating in joint productions.
�Shaolin Way� requires high investment, a considerable part of which will be provided by the Chinese. The script for the action/comedy/drama will be co-written by Iranian and Chinese screenwriters. Names of the cast and crew, from the two countries, will be announced soon. The movie will be shot in Iran and China.
The IFM will conclude on May 2.

By Financial Tribune