TEHRAN –The 35th edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth opened in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Friday evening. 

The ceremony was attended by Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili, the Governor of Isfahan Seyyed Reza Mousavi, the Mayor of Isfahan Ali Qassemzadeh, and the secretary of the festival Majid Zeinolabedin as well as a large number of children and youth.

“The festival offers a unique platform for Iranian children to unite and collectively aspire towards achieving great heights,” the minister said during the opening ceremony. 

The education and development of the new generation of artists must include a fundamental incorporation of culture and art in their learning journey, he added. 

The ministry is keen on partnering with the Farabi Foundation to implement cinema into the school curriculum and this would involve arranging dedicated sessions for film and cinema lessons, he explained. 

He emphasized that cinema has the power to serve as a shared language between diverse nations and cultures and that the dynamic contributions of Iran's younger generation will be integral to the industry's ongoing advancement.

For his part, Zeinolabedin said that this year, more than 550 films applied for the festival in the four competitive categories and national and international sections in the field of short and feature films. 

After a meticulous selection process, a grand total of 68 films qualified for the final phase of the competition.

The inclusion of 835 children and youth jurors is a testament to Isfahan's children's fervor and eagerness for the festival, as well as the widespread support from the community.

The 35th International Film Festival for Children and Youth will run until October 12. 

SAB/