For more than 75 years, Cannes has been hosting the annual celebration of the 7th art. The festival receives extensive promotion and advertising, establishing it as one of the world’s most renowned events, second only to the Olympic Games. The Cannes Festival is the premier event in the world of cinema, drawing a minimum of 30,000 dedicated professionals and 5,000 journalists. Various genres of new films, including documentaries and short films, participate in a competition to win the prestigious Palme d’Or.
The Cannes Film Festival has always been a place where directors from different parts of the world can meet up and share their films. Iranian directors like Abbas Kiarostami with The Taste of Cherry and Asghar Farhadi with A Separation and The Salesman have impressed the film industry with their masterpieces. The Cannes Film Festival 2024 has also welcomed Iranian directors such as Mohammad Rasoulof, who premiered The Seed of the Sacred Fig. However, Iranian authorities have prohibited actors and crew members from leaving the country to attend the prestigious Cannes 2024. Rasoulof had previously faced disqualification from Cannes. Ali Abbasi, an Iranian-born, Swedish-based filmmaker after Holy Spider, will attend the 77th edition of Cannes Film Fest with The Apprentice. The narrative of the film depicts how young Donald Trump and lawyer Roy Cohn built Trump’s real estate empire in 1970s and 1980s New York.
The Cannes Film Festival is globally renowned for its dedication to presenting groundbreaking and intellectually stimulating films. IIFMA, an association committed to upholding freedom of speech and advancing Iranian independent filmmakers, is enthusiastic about its involvement in one of the most prestigious film festivals globally. IIFMA’s participation in the Marché du Film 2024 will provide Iranian filmmakers with an exceptional chance to network with industry experts, distributors, and fellow artists. The group will organize activities, such as film screenings and networking sessions, to promote cooperation and honor the craft of independent filmmaking. IIFMA is a community in which Iranians, regardless of where in the world they live, express themselves through cinema. Following the Iranian revolutionary movement “Woman, Life, Freedom,” they aim to showcase Iranian talented directors, writers, cast, and crew to a global audience.
Mahshid Zamani, a film critic and board member of IIFMA, expressed her gratitude for being a part of the Cannes Film Festival for the second time in a row and contributing to the vibrant independent film community. “IIFMA’s series of events during the Cannes Film Market provides a platform for Iranian filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with industry experts, and gain international recognition. We look forward to supporting and promoting independent filmmakers from around the globe.” She said.
IIFMA has scheduled two film screening sessions to provide assistance to independent and up-and-coming filmmakers at the Film Market 2024. Furthermore, it presents Dead of Night, the first full-length film by the highly skilled production designer Farahd Vilkiji. The film delves into the financial and mental hardships experienced by an Iranian academic who opposes the system, compelling him to relocate to a secluded region in order to pen his latest work. IIFMA will exhibit three short films that exemplify the influence of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement on Iranian independent filmmaking.
May 14th to May 25th, 2024, is the schedule for the 77th Cannes Festival. Jury members include Turkish screenwriter Ebru Ceylan, actress Lily Gladstone, French actress Eva Green, Lebanese writer-director Nadine Labaki, Spanish writer-director Juan Antonio Bayona, Italian actor Pierfrancisco Favino, Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu, and French actor Omar Sy. The jury will determine the majority of the prizes on-site, but it will select a few prior to the start of the Cannes event. Meryl Streep, the world-recognised actor, is one of the recipients. Variety reports that she will receive an honorary Palme d’Or on the festival’s opening night. The closing-night honorary Palme d’Or will go to George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars film franchise.
Quentin Dupieux’ film, The Second Act, will be the festival’s first screening on May 14th, the opening night of the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The event will conclude on May 25th, but we have not yet announced the film for the closing night.
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