TEHRAN – “Fauve”, Canadian director Jérémy Comte’s drama about a childhood game of one-upmanship between two boys, was picked as best fiction film at the 35th Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF), the organizers announced on Tuesday.

Co-produced by Maria Gracia Turgeon and Evren Boisjol, the story is set in a surface mine where two boys sink into a seemingly innocent power game with Mother Nature as the sole observer.

The Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS) organizes the festival every year in collaboration with the Cinema Organization of Iran (COI).

Speaking during the awards ceremony of the event, IYCS director Sadeq Musavi called the TISFF the most important festival in the Middle East and said, “The festival derives its prestige from its art and technical capability.”

COI director Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian also attended the ceremony. In an address to Iranian filmmakers, he said, “With you there would be no concern about the cultural life of this society.”

“With you, there will be good days for Iran and no one can isolate Iran,” he added.

The award for best experimental film in the international competition went to “Edge of Alchemy” by American director Stacey Steers.

“And What Is the Summer Saying” by Indian director Payal Kapadia won the award for best documentary, while “Agouro”, a co-production between Portugal and France directed by David Doutel and Vasco Sá was named best animated film.

“Weekends”, an animated movie by Trevor Jimenez from America, received an honorable mention, and “Dolly” by Iranian director Ali Delkari won the UNICEF Award.

In the national completion, the Grand Prix was presented to “In Between” by Aliyar Rasti. The film is about Rana, a woman who is under investigation for a crime.

“Dissect” by Siavash Shahabi about a police investigation into the sudden death of a schoolchild won the special jury award.

The jury also honored directors in four categories: animation, fiction, experimental and documentary.

The award for best director in the fiction section was presented to Sogol Rezvani for “Reverence”, about a relationship between Rana and Bahram, two thespians who are working on a theatrical project.

Puya Razi was named best director for his experimental short “Not Being” and Sadeq Javadi was selected as best director for his animated movie, “The Fox”.

Sajjad Imani and Mostafa Fakhari shared the award for best director in the documentary competition for “Joker” and “Dolls Story” respectively.

Photo: Canadian director Jérémy Comte’s drama “Fauve” won the award for best fiction at the 35th Tehran International Short Film Festival.

MMS/YAW