TEHRAN -- “Starless Dreams” has brought director Mehrdad Oskouei more success in the international arena by winning the Pare Lorentz Award at the International Documentary Association (IDO) in Los Angles.

The award recognizes films that demonstrate exemplary filmmaking while focusing on the appropriate use of the natural environment, justice for all and the illumination of pressing social problems, the IDO announced.

The documentary, which has been awarded at many international events, shows the lives of seven young teenage girls sharing temporary quarters at a rehabilitation and detention center on the outskirts of Tehran.

“Starless Dreams” won the Grierson Award for the best documentary at the 60th BFI London Film Festival and the Children’s Rights Award at the 31st Osnabruck Independent Film Festival in October.

MMS/YAW