Closing Ceremony of Cinema Verite Held in Vahdal Hall

The closing ceremony of the 15th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival known as “Cinema Verite” held in Tehran Vahdat Hall attending by several high-ranking Iranian cinematic officials.

Addressing the gathering, the Festival Director Mohammad Hamidi Moqaddam said:” when we talk about documentaries, we are talking about allying with the truth. We are talking about people who shine like mirrors everywhere to be the true illustrators of the people”.

 He added that:” We believe that it is time for documentary cinema to shine. That's why we did not leave the field due to the spread of the Coronavirus.”

“While many cultural activities and art events experienced delay and closures due to the Coronavius pandemic, the documentary cinema was present in all arenas,” Hamidi Moqaddam said.

 “The documentary filmmaker did not put down his camera. When we talk about documentaries, we are talking about being on the front lines,” he said.

 “Documentary filmmakers have always been at the forefront of facing challenges and difficulties. They risk their lives in this way.  We have seen and are witnessing many manifestations of this risk and sense of responsibility in the context of the Coronavirus epidemic,” the festival director said.

 “The organizers of the festival did not allow the documentaries to be archived, and a new plan was devised to display them in online format,” he said, adding that:” We did our best to change the Coronavirus threat as into an opportunity,”

“Thanks to the previous editions’ experiences, several steps have been taken in this festival for standardization and providing equal opportunities and more suitable conditions for the participants,” he added.

 “A first-time screening has been among the rules and conditions for participation in the 15th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival,” he said.

 “The next leap will be the need to display films internationally at the Cinema Verite.  In the other words, in order to participate in the national competition, the film must experience its first national and international screening at the Cinema Verite,” he said.

 “When we talk about documentaries, we are talking about a large family all over Iran and audiences around the world. There are many ways to communicate effectively with a global audience,” he said.

Opened in Tehran on Dec 9, the festival was wrapped up on Dec 16, 2021.

The Documentary and Experimental Film Centre (DEFC) organizes the annual Iran International Documentary Film Festival.

The festival had several sections including National, International, Martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani Award, Martyr Avini Prize, Special Screenings, Portrait, Mirror of a festival, Focus on a country, Panorama, Workshop, and Doc Market.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the major Iranian international festival for documentary films was held with a limited number of guests and audience at Tehran’s Charsu Cineplex.