TEHRAN-The 35th International Film Festival for Children and Youth concluded in Isfahan on Thursday, awarding winners of different sections.

The Golden Butterfly for the Best Film was awarded to the feature “Tegar,” directed by Anggi Frisca and produced by Chandra Sembiring from Indonesia, ISNA reported on Friday.

The movie also received the Special Jury Award of the International Center of Films for Children and Young People (CIFEJ) and an Honorable Mention for the child actor M. Aldifi Tegarajasa.

A 2022 production, the movie revolves around Tegar, a child with disability, who wants to be like normal children: make friends and go to school. On his 10th birthday, Tegar shares his dream with his grandfather. The grandpa's decision to make Tegar's dream come true puts him and Wida, Tegar's mother, at odds. Tegar decides to leave home to pursue his dream.

The cinematographic work is a family movie which encourages people to understand equal rights and support within families. The film was adapted from the real-life stories of several people with disabilities.

The film had already won awards for the Best Actor in Balimakarya Film Festival and Best Young Actor in Cannes World Film Festival.

Golden Butterfly for the Best Director went to Domien Huyghe for the film “Sea Sparkle,” a joint production of Belgium and the Netherlands. 

The film shows Lena, a 12-year-old girl, who loves the ocean. She is as passionate and fearless as her father. But when her father dies at sea in a shipwreck, Lena is determined to prove that a huge, unknown creature is roaming the deep.

The feature animation “Mother Land” by Jaebeom Park from South Korea won the Golden Butterfly for the Best Screenplay. 

It narrates the story of Krisha, the daughter of the Yates, who are the nomad tribe of the tundra. To save her sick mother, she follows the words of Shaman and takes off on her adventure to the end of Northern land to find the red bear she saw in her dreams.

The festival's jury panel featured both national and international members, including Marzieh Boroumand and Ali Reza Khamseh from Iran, Monica Wahi from India, Yerji Mosković from Poland, Dragan Milinković Femon from Serbia, Melika Zairi from France, and Jun Juang from China.

Additionally, Hadi Mohammadian from Iran, Hakmat Matshar Majidul Baidan from Iraq, Athina Ridaki from Greece, Khatam Seyyed Abd al-Kader from Oman, and Maria Bezenkova from Russia served on the jury board for the international short and animation section.

Also at the closing ceremony, veteran figures Manouchehr Valizadeh and Bahram Dehghanyar were honored.

Valizadeh, 83, is a dubbing manager, voice actor, voice-over artist, and actor. He has lent his voice to hundreds of films. Iranian people know him well for dubbing famous characters in children’s films and series including Lucky Luke, Woody, Puss in Boots, and Garfield among many others. 

Dehghanyar, 58, is an Iranian musician and film composer. He has made the score of the memorable TV children's series “Grandma's Hut” and “Tabeta Tales”. He has also composed the scores of children’s movies “City in the Hands of Children” and “Cow Horn” in addition to several other films and series.

This year, the festival received an impressive 550 film submissions across four competitive categories and both national and international sections, encompassing short and feature films. Following a meticulous selection process, 68 films from 40 countries earned a place in the final phase of the competition.

Seeking to promote peace, tolerance, moral values, and instill hope among children and young adults, the next edition of the festival is also planned to be held in the central Isfahan Province next year.

Photo: Chandra Sembiring (L) and Anggi Frisca, producer and director of “Tegar” hold their Golden Butterfly awards at the closing ceremony of the 35th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan on October 12, 2023.

SS/SAB