19th IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival underway with focus on Iranian short films

According to The Iran Project,The gala, organized by the International Association of Women in Radio & Television (IAWRT), has selected six short fiction films from Iran, shown in the section titled Focus on Iran, ILNA reported.

The Iranian short films in the line-up include “Errorist” directed by Soudabeh Majidi, “Goalkeeper” by Ladan (Masoumeh) Soleymani, “Impassable Dream” by Zahra Sahar Badpeima, “Ji” by Rojin Aflaki, “Lamborghini” by Roya Bababeigi, and “Louse” by Parisa Shams, all made in 2023.

“Errorist” is a 2023 production that has no dialogue. The 3-minute flick is about two people who are working under the control of a computer and its orders. The person who wants to get out of the repeating cycle of these orders will be removed from the system and another person will fill his place.

“Goalkeeper” is a 15-minute movie that depicts a young boy who takes his grandmother to a football game.

“Impassable Dream” is a 14-minute short film centered on Bakhtiari nomads in Iran, who are the largest nomadic people in the world. Ahmad is a father living with his children in the Zagros Mountains in Khuzestan Province. The movie depicts the hardships of their life and the dreams of the children who are unable to go to school.

Running for 24 minutes, “Ji” is about an old woman, suffering from Alzheimer, who falls in love with Elvis Presley.

The 10-minute film “Lamborghini,” shows a couple at the beginning of their life when the woman notices a certain issue in the man’s behavior.

“Louse” is a 3-minute flick about a girl who wants to sell their TV set while her mother needs it for her peace of mind.

The IAWRT Asian Women’s Film Festival is held each year to mark International Women's Day, March 8. This year’s edition of the festival has picked up over 60 films from across 20 countries, directed by women filmmakers of Asian origin. It showcases feature films, documentaries, short fiction, animations, student films, and experimental work.

Apart from film screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, conversations on women and film craft, and exhibitions and workshops by women form the other programs of the festival.

Since its inception in 2005, the festival has established itself as a premier platform for showcasing the diverse narratives and talents of Asian women filmmakers. The festival welcomes submissions from women of Asian origin residing anywhere globally, fostering a space for cross-cultural exchange and recognition. Over the years, the festival has not only grown in its reach but also traveled to various Indian cities, extending its impact and influence.

This year's festival, held against the backdrop of regional complexities, aims to create a space for dialogue and shared understanding, highlighting the power of storytelling and art in bridging divides and fostering unity. Having started on March 7, the festival will wrap up on March 9.

Reporter : Editorial of The Iran Project