A production of the Iranian Young Cinema Society (IYCS) has won two awards at a Portuguese festival, and a Bushehri photographer who is an instructor at the Young Cinema Society in the southern Bushehr Province of Iran has been honored at an American event.
The short film ‘A Moment’ written and directed by Naqi Nemati which competed at the 1st Planos Film Festival, in Tomar, Portugal, in late September, won the Best Screenplay Award for Nemati as well as the Best Cinematography Award for Rouzbeh Rayga.
The films won acclaim while competing with 20 other works from across the world including another Iranian short film ‘Survival’, said a press release by the IYCS public relations office.
Participating in several international events, it also won two prizes at the Italian 23rd Capalbio International Short Film Festival in August.
Honorable Mention
Iranian photographer Saeed Arabzadeh has received an Honorable Mention at the 2016 International Photography Awards (IPA) in California.
Competing in the Professional Category of ‘Event: Traditions and Cultures’, his photo series titled ‘Razeef’ was recognized as worthy of honor by the jury.
Razeef is a traditional ceremony in Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf, and expresses joy and happiness during weddings.
Arabzadeh, 31, started photography in 2011. His favorite category is documentary, landscape and portrait.
He has won several awards including a silver medal at the Atlantic International Photographic Exhibition 2016, a special award at the 50th Sydney Photography 2015, and two honorable mentions at IPA 2014.
The IPA conducts an annual competition for professional, non-professional, and student photographers on a global scale, creating one of the most ambitious and comprehensive competitions in the photography world today.
It aims to salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, discover new and emerging talent and promote the appreciation of photography.
IYCS in All Provinces
With the help of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the IYCS started its work in 1985 to encourage Iranian youth in filmmaking and photography. Now, with over 60 branches and offices in all provinces, it seeks to attract and train those interested in learning directing, script writing, cinematography, film editing and photography.
Between 3000 and 4000 learners are trained annually in different branches by the IYCS. About 500 experimental works and some 200 professional films are produced every year by the graduates.
Further, on the international level, IYCS productions have been screened and young film-makers have received numerous prizes in well-known festivals.
IYCS became a member of UNICA, Union Internationale du cinema Non Professionel, as a representative of Iran in 1990 and has a regular presence in its festivals. By representing Iran as member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) it paved the way for artists and photographers to introduce their works by founding the International Iran Photo Agency (IIPA).
