TEHRAN-Two films from Iran have won awards at the 16th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) in Jaipur, India.

“The Last Birthday” directed by Navid Mahmoudi and “The Last Year’s Story” by Mehdi Jabinshenas are the Iranian movies whose names are among the winners of this year’s edition of the Indian festival announced on January 25, ILNA reported on Sunday.

A joint production of Iran and Afghanistan, Mahmoudi’s latest feature fiction won the Golden Camel award for the best director.

The 80-minute film tells the story of Soraya, a female journalist, who has been trying to spread news about the difficult situation of Afghan women to the world for years. However, Taliban forces surprise Soraya and her friends once they arrest her at home on her birthday.

The political drama, which has so far participated in festivals in India, Spain, and the U.S., features Elnaz Shakerdoust, Pedram Sharifi, Sheyda Khaligh, Armin Rahimian, Sogol Khaligh, and Reza Behbudi among others.

“The Last Year’s Story” is a 48-minute documentary, which won the best sound and editing award in the feature documentary section of the festival.

The film shows Mrs. Salem, a second-grade primary school teacher, in the last year of her teaching. She has been involved in online education.  But she does not send photos and videos of herself. The principal, who will also retire this year, is concerned about the state of education. She is trying to maintain the reputation of her 30-year management.

Jaipur International Film Festival is the world's biggest competitive film festival in fiction films. It seeks to promote new movie makers, the exchange of knowledge, information, ideas, and culture between India and other nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos. It also promotes friendship and cooperation among people of the world through the medium of films and documentaries.

SS/SAB