The call for entries for the Fajr Film Festival includes the addition of the “Martyr President” award.

The call for entries for the National Section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival has been released by the event’s Secretariat. According to this call, the special “Shaheed Jomhour” Award will be presented to the best film that highlights the achievements of the Islamic Revolution and the progress of the country.

According to Cinemadram, the Iranian Cinema Organization has announced the call for entries for the National Section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, which will be held from February 1st to 11th, 2025, in Tehran, coinciding with the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

The call for entries states the objectives of the National Section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival: “Modern Iranian cinema, as a brilliant light of Iranian and Islamic culture, has always been recognized worldwide for its human, ethical, revolutionary, and spiritual values. The Fajr International Film Festival, based on these overarching values and with the aim of supporting ethical, hope-filled, and awareness-raising cinema, seeks to introduce the best films of Iranian cinema from the past year, honor the artistic efforts of creative filmmakers, and provide a platform for the growth and elevation of cinematic works based on national and religious identity.”

Honoring and Tribute to Iranian Cinematographers

The goal of holding the honoring and tribute program for Iranian cinematographers is to appreciate the cultural, artistic, and professional achievements of renowned figures in Iranian cinema, in order to recognize their experiences and elevate the discourse of professionalism in Iranian cinema.

Competitive Sections of the Festival

The competitive programs of the Fajr International Film Festival include the following sections:

National Section
International Section
National Section of Iranian Cinema

In this competitive section, with the aim of identifying, introducing, and appreciating the best and most valuable cultural, artistic, technical, and professional achievements in Iranian cinema, the following competitions are held:

Iranian Films Competition (Soudaye Simorgh)
First Films Competition (Negah-e-No)
Documentary Feature Film Competition
Short Narrative Film Competition
Advertising Materials Competition (Photos, Posters, Teasers)

3. General Regulations for the National Section of Iranian Cinema

As a general rule, the Fajr International Film Festival only accepts films that were produced no earlier than the year preceding the festival and have not been previously submitted to the festival. Therefore, all films wishing to participate in any of the competitive sections must have been produced after 2023 and not have been reviewed by the selection committee in the previous festival edition. Additionally:

Films applying for the “Iranian Cinema Films Competition” (Soudaye Simorgh) and the “First Films Competition” (Negah-e-No) must meet the following requirements:

The film must have a production or exhibition license from the Iranian Cinema Organization and a minimum runtime of 75 minutes.
The film should not have been screened at any domestic or international events, festivals, or film markets.

Note: Films screened at the International Film Festival for Children and Youth will be exempt from this rule.

The film must not have been exhibited on any public screening platforms (including cinemas, television networks, internet TV platforms, home video networks, on-demand streaming services, or other online platforms) before February 11, 2024.

Films applying for the “Long Documentary Films Competition” must meet the following criteria:

They must have an exhibition license from the Iranian Cinema Organization.
The film must have a minimum runtime of 75 minutes.
The film must have been selected by the selection committee of the 18th Iran International Documentary Film Festival (Cinema Verité). (The application for participation of long documentary films is not contingent on these films advancing to the competition section of the Cinema Verité Festival.)

Films applying for the “Short Fiction Films Competition” must meet the following criteria:

They must have an exhibition license from the Iranian Cinema Organization.
The film must have been introduced by the selection committee of the 41st Tehran International Short Film Festival. (The application for participation of short fiction films is not contingent on these films advancing to the competition section of the Tehran Short Film Festival.)
The film must have a runtime of at least 3 minutes and no more than 20 minutes.

Regulations for the Execution of the Iranian Cinema National Section

All works wishing to participate in any of the festival’s sections must be registered in the festival’s system.

The registration period in the festival system will be from November 6th to November 21st, 2024.
Only legal and natural persons (producers) can complete the registration process of their film and upload its information and documents (such as the film’s production or screening license, scene photo, and director’s photo) on the festival’s website. The responsibility for the accuracy of the information entered into the system and its consequences lies solely with the producer.

Note 1: The information provided in the system will be included in the festival’s catalog if the film is selected.

Note 2: After registration, the producer commits to accept the film’s screening schedule in Tehran and other cities without objection. They also agree not to hold private or special screenings during the festival period (from 12th to 22nd of February) in Tehran and other cities under any condition.

Note 3: The producer is committed to providing the final DCP version of the film, which must be approved by the General Directorate of Film Evaluation and Cinematic Oversight of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Note 4: After the film’s selection for the Iran Cinema Competition section, the producer commits that they will not withdraw the film from the festival under any circumstances.

After completing the registration process, the producer must send a complete version of the film (without considering the completion of post-production technical processes, such as music, sound design, computer-generated special effects, and color correction) to the festival office for review as soon as possible.

Note 1: The festival will not accept incomplete films (the shooting must be completed). A rough cut version will be accepted.

Note 2: Along with sending the review version, 10 stills from the film, poster, teaser, or about 2 to 3 minutes of the film (without any logos or text) should be delivered to the festival office.

The selection committee for the Iran Cinema Competition will begin reviewing the films on December 6th, 2024.
On January 1st, 2025, the selection committee will announce the names of the films chosen for the Iran Cinema Competition section (Soda-e Simorgh) and the New Vision section from all eligible films (including first films and animations).
The producers of the selected films must submit the final version of their films, in the proper technical standard (DCP), to the festival office by January 15th, 2025. Registration in the system constitutes acceptance of and full compliance with the festival’s regulations and the rules for the production and screening of films in Iran by the legal owners of the films.

Note: The festival will use the film’s poster, scene photos, director’s photo, teaser, and at least three minutes of the film for promotional purposes in the media and for making clips for the opening and closing ceremonies.

If the final version of the film is not submitted to the festival office by the deadline (January 15th, 2025), the film will be removed from the list of applicants, and a film from the selection reserve list will replace it, as per the head of the festival’s decision.
The film screening schedule for the Iran Cinema Competition section will be announced on January 19th, 2025. Based on this schedule, the ticket sales system will be activated.
After the screening schedule is announced, it is not possible to withdraw the film from the festival under any circumstances.
Decisions regarding the screening of films in other cities will be made by the festival office. Producers and owners of the films commit to ensuring that all films will be screened in cinemas in Tehran and other cities during the festival and will not oppose this decision.
The festival’s jury will announce the nominees for the awards 24 hours before the closing ceremony.
No award will be divided equally among two or more works in the competition section.
Film screenings at the festival will comply with the regulations of the Cinema Organization.
The rules for cinemas wishing to host festival screenings will be announced separately by the festival office.
The revenue from the screenings of the participating films, after deducting expenses, will be paid to the film’s owner(s) based on proof of ownership or a letter of ownership issued by the General Directorate of Film Evaluation and Oversight of the Cinema Organization.
The interpretation and resolution of ambiguities in the provisions of these regulations and other unforeseen issues will be the responsibility of the festival director.

5. Selection and Jury in the National Cinema Section

The selection and jury committees of the festival consist of a group of filmmakers and cultural and artistic experts.
In the Iran Cinema Competition section, the selection committee will choose the films from all eligible submissions (including first films and animations) for jury evaluation in both the Iran Cinema Competition (Soda-e Simorgh) and New Vision sections.
The jury of the Iran Cinema Competition (Soda-e Simorgh) will evaluate all selected films in the fiction section (including first films and animations) across all categories.
The independent jury for the New Vision section will evaluate all selected films in this section.
The Best First Film and Best Animation Film awards will be given only if there are at least three films competing in each category.
The selection and jury committee for the Documentary Films Competition section will award a Crystal Simorgh to one film.
The selection and jury committee for the Short Fiction Films Competition section will award a Crystal Simorgh to one film.
Key production staff of the films in the competition sections cannot serve on the selection and jury committees for the corresponding section.

Note: A “first film” is a feature film directed by a filmmaker who has never had a previously publicly released feature film.

6. National Film Awards of Iran

The jury of the festival will award prizes to the films eligible for the competition as follows:

Golden Simorgh for Best Film from a National Perspective (Special Award of Martyr General Soleimani)
Special Award for Martyr Jomhour for the best film highlighting the achievements of the Islamic Revolution and the country’s progress.

Main Awards:

Crystal Simorgh for Best Film
Crystal Simorgh for Special Jury Award
Special Festival Award
Crystal Simorgh for Best Director
Crystal Simorgh for Best Screenplay
Crystal Simorgh for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Crystal Simorgh for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Crystal Simorgh for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Crystal Simorgh for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Crystal Simorgh for Best Cinematography
Crystal Simorgh for Best Editing
Crystal Simorgh for Best Original Score
Crystal Simorgh for Best Sound Recording
Crystal Simorgh for Best Sound Design
Crystal Simorgh for Best Production Design
Crystal Simorgh for Best Costume Design
Crystal Simorgh for Best Makeup Design
Crystal Simorgh for Best Visual Effects (Field)
Crystal Simorgh for Best Visual Effects (Visual)
Crystal Simorgh for Best Animated Film
Crystal Simorgh for Best Film (Audience Award)
Crystal Simorgh for Best Feature Documentary
Crystal Simorgh for Best Short Fiction Film

Note 1: The Golden Simorgh for Best Film from a National Perspective will be awarded based on the jury’s recommendation and final decision by the festival secretary.

Note 2: The Crystal Simorgh for Audience’s Favorite Film will be awarded to the film selected by the audience’s votes, granted to the film’s producer.

Note 3: The Crystal Simorgh for Best Animated Film will be awarded to the producer and director of the film.

Note 4: The Crystal Simorgh for Best Feature Documentary will be awarded to the producer and director of the film.

Note 5: The Crystal Simorgh for Best Short Fiction Film will be awarded to the director of the film.

7. New Vision Section Awards

Crystal Simorgh for Best First Feature Film
Crystal Simorgh for Best First-Time Director
Certificate of Honor for Best First-Time Director
Crystal Simorgh Special Jury Award for Best Technical or Artistic Achievement

8. Iranian Cinema Advertising Section

This section aims to identify, introduce, and encourage creative and effective methods in the marketing and distribution of cinematic works, as well as to enhance the quality of advertising and information dissemination within the cinema industry. It will focus on the following categories: photo, poster, trailer, and teaser for Iranian films.

9. Regulations for the Iranian Cinema Advertising Section

All works wishing to participate in this section must register on the festival’s system.
Applicants must visit the official festival website (fajrfilmfestival.com), sign up, fill in the registration form, and upload samples of their work according to the special conditions outlined.
Registration deadline: from 30th Azar to 10th Dey.
All promotional materials for films (fiction, animation, and documentary) that were publicly screened between 15th Dey 2022 and 15th Dey 2023 in cinemas are eligible to participate.
Works evaluated in past editions will not be accepted.
The festival’s secretariat has the right to use the submitted materials in various media sections (books, daily publications, trailers, social media, and other media).
The interpretation and resolution of any ambiguities in the regulations are the responsibility of the festival secretary.

Special Conditions for the Photography Section:

Photo files must be in JPG format with at least 6 megapixels quality.
If there are multiple works, the photos for each film must be uploaded separately in the festival’s system.
Each film may submit 5 scene photos and 3 behind-the-scenes photos.
Any alteration to the photos that compromises their authenticity will lead to disqualification.

Special Conditions for the Poster Section:

The poster file must be in JPG format with 150 DPI quality and in 70×100 cm dimensions.
Posters submitted must be from films that have official approval from the Iranian Film Organization.
Only Persian-language posters will be judged in this section.

Special Conditions for the Trailer and Teaser Section:

Files for each category must be uploaded separately, in 4MP format, with a maximum size of 5MB.
A formal letter from the producer or distribution agency confirming the use of the submitted version in the film’s promotional materials is required.

10. Iranian Cinema Advertising Section Awards

Crystal Simorgh for Best Photo
Crystal Simorgh for Best Poster
Crystal Simorgh for Best Trailer and Teaser

11. Festival Timeline

1) Iranian Cinema Competition Timeline

Film registration begins: 15th Aban 1403
Film registration ends: 30th Aban 1403
Film review starts: 15th Azar 1403
Announcement of selected films for Iranian Cinema and New Vision Sections: 11th Dey 1403
Final version submission deadline: 24th Dey 1403
Screening schedule announcement: 27th Dey 1403
Ticketing begins: 30th Dey 1403
Special ticket distribution for filmmakers and industry professionals: 1st Bahman 1403
General ticket sales start: 5th Bahman 1403
Festival screenings begin: 12th Bahman 1403
Closing ceremony: 22nd Bahman 1403

2) Documentary Cinema Competition Timeline

Film registration begins: 1st Azar 1403
Film registration ends: 15th Azar 1403
Film submission deadline: 20th Azar 1403
Film review starts: 1st Dey 1403
Film review ends: 20th Dey 1403
Announcement of selected documentary films: 25th Dey 1403

3) Short Film Competition Timeline

Film registration begins: 20th Aban 1403
Film registration ends: 30th Aban 1403
Final submission deadline: 5th Azar 1403
Review starts: 10th Azar 1403
Review ends: 30th Azar 1403
Announcement of selected short films: 25th Dey 1403

4) Iranian Cinema Advertising Competition Timeline

Registration begins: 30th Azar 1403
Registration ends: 10th Dey 1403
Judging of advertising works: 15th Bahman 1403

The call for entries and regulations for the International section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival will be announced in the coming two weeks.