IRNA � Iranian films attending different world festivals could receive 562 international awards during the past Iranian calendar year ended on March 20, minister of culture and Islamic guidance said here on Wednesday afternoon.


'Cinema is a window to widen ties with the world,' Abbas Salehi said in a meeting held in Tehran with Iran's ambassadors and representatives to different world states.

Talking of Iran's cultural interactions, Salehi said 300 figures from 78 world countries participated in the recently-held Fajr International Film Festival.

He further stressed the importance of paying more attention to cultural diplomacy.

Salehi went on to say that culture and art should be developed in order to fight cultural isolation.

Iran's capacities are not limited to oil and mine, the minister said, adding the Iranian culture and art are also among the important social capacities in the country.

About the Iranian ambassadors' mission, Salehi said they can introduce the country's culture and art to the world and prepare the ground for further cultural interactions.