Announcing The 10th Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2018
For media inquiries contact:
Roxie Sarhangi | Roxie PR / press@farhang.org / 310-666-1546
Announcing The 10th Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival
Celebrating Iranian Heritage
Submissions period: April 26 2018 through July 24, 2018
LOS ANGELES, APRIL 26, 2018 - Calling on filmmakers worldwide to submit short films visualizing some aspect of Iranian art, culture, and heritage, Farhang Foundation's Annual online Short Film Festival offers contestants the opportunity to compete for prestigious recognition and a $10,000 (first prize), $5,000 (second prize), and $3,000 (third prize).
Since its launch in 2008, the Farhang Short Film Festival has presented over $160,000 in cash prizes to filmmakers from around the world with the mutual passion for Iran and its culture. "Each year the transcending power of cinema is demonstrated in the array of exceptional works that are submitted by the talented group of filmmakers participating from around the world" said Mark Amin, Farhang's Film Festival Committee Chair and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "Ten years ago when we established this film festival focused on Iranian culturally themed films, we wanted to provide a democratic platform for filmmakers worldwide to showcase their exceptional works and to be recognized for their efforts in the field of filmmaking, and it has been a tremendous experience for us to witness the growth and impact this festival has had on so many filmmakers worldwide."
The Festival's submission period opens on April 26, 2018 and ends on July 24 2018. The award ceremony, during which the top six finalist will be screened and top three awards will be presented before a live audience, will take place on Saturday September 29, 2018 at the festival's new home at the prestigious Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and generously sponsored by the City of Beverly Hills. Special thanks go to the Beverly Hills City Council for their support of this cultural program, and for inviting the festival to the beautiful city of Beverly Hills for this milestone 10th year anniversary celebration. The evening will also include red-carpet arrivals, extensive media coverage, celebrity guests, the participating contestants, and a reception following.
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Farhang Foundation is also pleased to announce its esteemed jury panel for this year's festival. The impressive group is comprised of a diverse and talented team of Iranians, each with a unique background in Cinema.
The 2018 jury panel includes living legend, actor, filmmaker and producer Parviz Sayyad; veteran actress of stage, screen and television Gohar Kheirandish; award winning actress and activist Mary Apick, filmmaker and Abbas Kiarostami collaborator, Adel Yaraghi, and jury chair Mark Amin, CEO of Sobini Films and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Farhang Foundation.
"We are honored to once again have such a diverse and acclaimed jury panel presiding over this year's festival" said Mark Amin. "The participation of such accomplished and talented individuals is essential in highlighting the importance of this festival and we are certainly grateful for their participation and dedication to this year's submission review process."
Submissions should be under 15 minutes in length, and can be of any genre or style, visualizing an aspect of Iranian art, history, culture, crafts, geography, cuisine, or lifestyle that will inspire and spark the audience's interest in learning more about Iranian culture. All submissions not in English must include English subtitles. In keeping with the spirit of Farhang Foundation - a nonreligious and nonpolitical organization - it is advised that submissions should refrain from endorsing or opposing any religious or political position. Full details of the submission rules can be viewed by visiting our Terms and Conditions page.
All entries will be judged for creativity, quality, and originality by the esteemed jury panel. Views expressed by the filmmakers do not represent those of Farhang Foundation or the jury panel. For more information, including submission guidelines, deadlines, and past winners, visit the official Festival website at FarhangFilmFest.org.
ABOUT THE JURY
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MARK AMIN |
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MARY APICK |
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GOHAR KHEIRANISH |
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PARVIZ SAYYAD |
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ADEL YARAGHI |
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Farhang Foundation is a nonreligious, nonpolitical and not-for-profit foundation established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community at large. The foundation supports a broad range of academic activities in Southern California by funding university programs, publications, and conferences. The foundation also supports diverse cultural programs such as the celebrations of Nowruz and Mehregan, theater, dance performances, film screenings, and poetry readings in Southern California. And, in cooperation with various cultural and academic institutions, Farhang Foundation funds major programs and exhibitions about Iran and its culture. However, the content, viewpoints, or biases expressed by individual artists, academics, institutions, or events supported by the foundation belong solely to each individual party and do not necessarily reflect the views of Farhang Foundation. |