ISFA, the association that used the short film as a reason for politicization

Fars News Agency – Cinema Group: A few days ago, ISFA short film festival released the poster of its 13th edition, a poster with a photo of Sosan Taslimi in the movie “The Death of Yazdgerd”, a poster that has entered different circles and taken a political approach since its unveiling and since the ceremony.

The Iranian Short Film Association (ISFA) may have strengthened its political image since the 30th Tehran Short Film Festival was held, a time when by boycotting the short film festival of that period and also commenting on the closing of the festival in the political and social conditions of that day, regardless of the approach and goals of the short film, they put an effort to close the festival.

Isfa’s approach towards the Fajr Film Festival of that period was no different from their position towards the Tehran Short Film Festival, again, the confrontation with the protest against the jury of the short film section of the festival started and continued with its boycott.

Now, after all these oppositions, by holding every dynamic event in the field of short films and cinema, the Iranian Short Film Association decided to hold the 13th edition of ISFA Awards, an event that was interesting for some Sinai users of cyberspace.

It wasn’t long after the announcement of the ISFA Awards, that the politicized approach of this collection was revealed with the unveiling ceremony of the ISFA Awards. The veiled image of Sosan Taslimi on the festival poster and of course the statement read by Ismail Monsef as the secretary of the ISFA Awards all indicated that the 13th edition of the ISFA Awards was held abnormally and far from art.

In a part of the statement read by Monsef Khanad, it is stated: “The Iranian Short Film Association is an independent organization that always tries to take steps towards the manifestation of freedom of thought and expression in short films?” Is it other than that we, the short film family, have always been leaders in breaking censorship barriers? Is it other than that we have always been on power, not with power?”

Also, Amir Todeh Rusta, the head of the board of directors of the Iranian Short Film Guild, said about the awarding of the ISFA badge: “The Iranian Short Film Association proudly presents the ISFA badge to Mrs. Sosan Taslimi in the 13th edition of the Iranian Short Film Academy Awards. An artist who unmasked his face many years ago and remained a powerful actor in his life. With his pioneering role, he taught us that the freedom of art and the artist is beyond the creation of any work of art.

Sosan Taslimi, after unveiling the poster in a pre-arranged scenario, published a message to confirm the way and political view of this period of ISFA awards and wrote in a part of it: “The wish of all of us is a free and bright future for our land of Iran, where art can be a true reflection of human life, away from lies, fraud and shamelessness, and the artist can regain the place he deserves.” It is also supposed to be awarded to Sosan Taslimi in the 13th edition of ISFA.

There is no stopping, continue after correction

Apart from these cases, the image of Sosan Taslimi without a veil in the poster of this year’s ISFA awards was another sign of the politicization of the festival. Seyed Sadegh Mousavi, Director General of the Office of Festivals and International Cooperation, pointed to the publication of this poster, which is an adaptation of a historical film, and emphasized: “The publication of any poster without a veil in promotional items for festivals and festivals is against the current laws of the country, and in this regard, the CEO and board of directors of Cinema House and relevant stakeholders were consulted to coordinate Necessary measures should be taken in this direction, because the responsibility of this issue is on the responsibility of the cinema house.

He stated: “Any trade union festival that is held outside the cinema and has public and non-union dimensions, like other film festivals in the country, requires permission from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.”

Now, after all these issues, the head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced the suspension of the 13th Isfa Short Film Festival by the order of the Minister of Culture due to the fact that the poster of the festival was inconsistent with the principles of the hijab law.

Announcing this news, Mohammad Mahdi Samoui added: The use of the face of a woman without a veil in the poster of the 13th Isfa Short Film Festival, considering that this action is considered a violation from the point of view of the law, caused the Minister of Culture to issue an order to stop the festival until the violation is resolved.

He added: Although this image was selected from a movie, that movie is related to before the legalization of the hijab, and considering the sensitivities that have arisen regarding the discovery of the hijab in society, the publication of this poster is in conflict with social interests.

Of course, as it can be seen from the text of Samoui’s speech, it seems that this period of ISFA awards can continue its activities if the violation is corrected, there is no permanent suspension and only the continuation of the festival depends on the modification of the poster, an incident that was misinterpreted by the mischievousness of some media and the need to modify the poster was not seen in it, and in addition, in this way, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is facing as much as it can if it is confirmed that there is no biased view in ISFA to the continuation of the 13th period This award should help prevent it from being held if it is confirmed that there is violence.

But the question is that despite the circumstances that confronting a poster that is trivially intended to civilly disobey the country’s laws is obvious, why did the Iranian Short Film Association, instead of trying to hold its event as well as possible, put it in the margins like this?

end of message/