TEHRAN-The Iranian-Armenian short animation “The Song of Flying Leaves” will be screened in the 25th International Festival Music & Cinema Marseille (MCM) in France in April.

Attending the Short Animations competition section of the festival, the 2D animation will compete with 11 other works from Finland, France, Portugal, Ireland, Australia, Lithuania, the U.S., Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Honaronline reported.

Directed by Armine Anda, the mystery drama is a journey to a dream through an encounter between Suna, a 12-year-old girl who uses leaves as a blanket, and an old man who possesses secret knowledge. It is a reflection on the friendship between a father and a daughter, a teacher and a student, an adult and a child, and the path that can turn the impossible into possible.

Being the first Armenian-Iranian animated film, the 12-minute flick is a co-production of Hoorakhsh Studios from Iran and Hoshkee Film of Armenia.

During the past 10 months, since its premiere, the short flick has attended 48 international festivals, receiving 10 awards.

A production of 2023, it has so far won several awards including Golden Flame Best Animation and Producers awards in Lantern & Light International Children’s Film Festival (Australia), Special Mention award in Corto Lovere International Short Film Festival (Italy), an award from the Mexico International Short Film Festival (Mexico), and Golden Apricot Award in the short film competition at the Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival.

Founded in 2005 in Tehran, Hoorakhsh Studios provides artists with the tools they need to create their best work. Focusing on creativity and innovation in animation, it attracts young talents, partners, and clients worldwide. With notable efforts for many years, it has become the lead efficient producer, partner, and financer in the field of independent cinematic animation in Iran.

With a focus on young cinematographic creation and musical composition for screen, the artistic policy of the International Festival Music & Cinema Marseille is unique in Europe. Created in 1999, the MCM is recognized among the professional industry, both at a national and international level, as a reference in musical composition for screen. Every year, the festival presents over 250 movies, welcomes 500 professionals, and reaches an audience of more than 25,000.

The festival has four main focuses; it supports young creators, promote cultural diversity through international programs, train talents and support them in their creative process, and create an image education program.

The 25th edition of the festival will be held in Marseille from April 1 to 6.

SS/SAB