Submissions Now Open for 16th Farhang Short Film Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 28, 2025
Submissions Now Open
for the 16th Annual
Farhang Foundation
Short Film Festival
WORLD’S ONLY FESTIVAL DEVOTED TO IRANIAN SHORT FILMS INCREASES CASH PRIZES AND ADDS NEW AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Los Angeles, CA – April 28, 2025 – Farhang Foundation proudly opens the call for submissions for the 16th Annual Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival, the only festival in the world exclusively dedicated to short films about Iranian culture. The submission period begins on April 28 and runs through July 28, 2025. Submissions are free and can be made online at FarhangFilmFest.org, where complete eligibility and rules are listed.
This year, the festival is elevating its commitment to supporting filmmakers by increasing its top prizes:
• 1st Prize: $15,000
• 2nd Prize: $10,000
• 3rd Prize: $5,000
For the first time in the festival’s 16-year history, a $3,000 Audience Choice Award will be presented, inviting the public to join in recognizing exceptional talent.
“At Farhang Foundation, we believe in amplifying Iranian voices through the universal language of cinema,” said Alireza Ardekani, CEO of Farhang Foundation. “This festival continues to be a powerful platform for emerging and established filmmakers to share diverse narratives about Iranian culture with the world. We are proud to expand our support and engagement with the community this year.”
2025 Jury Panel: Visionaries of Iranian and Global Cinema
Presided over by Mark Amin, Vice Chair of Farhang Foundation and a veteran of the entertainment industry, the 2025 jury brings together some of the most distinguished figures in Iranian and international cinema:
Lily Amir-Arjomand
The legendary founder of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon), whose leadership helped launch Iran’s golden age of children’s literature, music, animation and film.
Arameh Etemadi
A documentary filmmaker, journalist, and film critic whose incisive writing for Iranian Film Magazine and contributions to festivals such as Palm Springs and SEEfest have made her a respected voice in international cinema.
Afshin Hashemi
Renowned actor, director, and playwright known for the internationally acclaimed Soft Voice and hit series The Women’s Secret Network. A celebrated figure across Iranian theater and screen, Hashemi also serves as a frequent juror for Iran’s major film guilds.
Paul Malcolm
Senior Public Programmer at the UCLA Film & Television Archive, where he has played a pivotal role in curating one of the most extensive and enduring showcases of Iranian cinema in the United States. The annual UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema is a landmark series that has been running for over three decades, providing a vital platform for both emerging and established Iranian filmmakers.
Yasna Mirtahmasb
An award-winning actor celebrated for his performance in Roxana, which earned him Best Actor honors at the Tokyo and Cyrus International Film Festivals. His career includes acclaimed roles in Dressage and 13, as well as major theater productions.
Maryam Moghadam
Award-winning actress, screenwriter, and filmmaker recognized for her powerful performances in Ballad of a White Cow and Risk of Acid Rain. Moghadam is also the co-director of the acclaimed, award-winning, and groundbreaking film My Favourite Cake, which premiered to international acclaim. Her extraordinary and brave work continues to push the boundaries of Iranian cinema on the world stage.
“Each year, I am amazed by the originality and depth of vision shown by filmmakers who participate in this festival,” said Mark Amin, Festival Chair. “This year’s expanded prizes and new audience award are our way of celebrating that brilliance even more boldly and inviting the public to help honor it.”
Key Dates:
• Submissions Period: April 28 – July 28, 2025
• Top Six Film Announcements: September 2025
• Awards Ceremony: September 27, 2025
Farhang Foundation invites filmmakers from around the world to submit short films—of any genre or format—that creatively explore themes tied to Iranian heritage. Whether personal, historical, fictional, or experimental, these films contribute to a vibrant and essential cultural dialogue.
Short film submissions should be under fifteen minutes in length. All foreign language submissions must include English subtitles. For the full submissions requirements please visit FarhangFilmFest.org.
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.
Submit your film today at FarhangFilmFest.org.
About Farhang Foundation
Farhang Foundation is a member supported nonpolitical, nonreligious, and not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Iranian art and culture for the betterment of society as a whole. With a singular mission at its core, the Foundation strives to preserve, nurture, and share the diverse heritage of Iran with the global community. Through steadfast commitment, the Foundation supports a wide array of academic, artistic, and cultural programs and initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with esteemed universities, renowned museums, and the vibrant world of performing arts. These partnerships enable the Foundation to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted aspects of Iranian culture and promote cross-cultural dialogue.
Media Contact:
Tannaz Guivi
Phone: 310-666-1546
Email: press@farhang.org
