TEHRAN- The 17th edition of Cinéma Vérité, Iran’s major international festival for documentary films, kicked off in Tehran's Charsu Cineplex on Monday.  

The ceremony was attended by a number of cultural officials, documentarians and film directors, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Speaking at the ceremony, the secretary of the festival Mohammad Hamidi-Moqadam expressed his delight as he revealed the astounding collection of works submitted for this edition of the event.

Notably, the festival has witnessed a remarkable surge in the number of filmmakers participating, making it a true testament to their unwavering dedication amidst the escalating costs of filmmaking, he added. 

"Out of the films we received, a distinguished 64 have been hand-picked for the illustrious national section." 

"We were graced with a plethora of exceptional films that captivated our discerning judges for the international section,” he said and added: “Five outstanding global works were chosen for the Gaza panel." 

He also explained that advisory committees were involved to ensure diversity and followed the same international standards as the previous year and this approach allowed room for critique, experimentation, and trial and error.

He also highlighted the prominence of youth in this edition, emphasizing the challenges they face. He encouraged them to recognize that success in documentary filmmaking requires patience, sacrifice, and a respect for the past. “Experienced filmmakers play a crucial role in shaping the future for these aspiring young creators.”

During the opening ceremony, the audience was treated to a rare glimpse into Iran's Film Archive. The collection included behind-the-scenes footage from Dariush Mehrjui's film "the Cow" and previously unreleased material from Hussein Azadi's documentary "For Freedom." Other unseen documentaries and images related to the Islamic Revolution were also showcased, providing a unique historical perspective.

In an effort to reach a wider audience and enhance accessibility, this year's festival films will not only be screened at Charsu Cineplex but also at the Film Museum of Iran. This decision aims to expand the reach of documentary cinema, offering more opportunities for enthusiasts to engage with these compelling stories.

The 17th Cinéma Vérité has been organized by the Documentary & Experimental Film Center (DEFC). It aims to represent the history and culture of Iranian Islamic society and present a real picture of what human is facing today in his/her individual and social life through documentary films.

With this objective, the special focus of this edition of the festival is on two national and international challenges: the water crisis and population issues.

A total of 2,454 documentaries from around the world have been submitted to the event including 615 works are from Iran and 1,839 foreign documentaries from Turkey, China, the U.K., Russia, Poland, Spain, Egypt, Argentina, Indonesia, and Germany among others.

The festival will run until December 23.

SAB/