Iranian cinema shines at 2024 Hanoi International Film Festival

ABO/NDO- Iranian cinema achieved major wins at the 2024 Hanoi International Film Festival, taking home the top awards for Best Feature Film, Best Director (feature and short films), and Best Actor.

The closing ceremony of the film festival was held at the Ho Guom Theatre in Hanoi on November 11, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long.

According to Director of the Cinema Department Vi Kien Thanh, this year’s festival created an inspiring environment for both Vietnamese and international filmmakers, fostering creativity under the theme "Cinema: Creativity and Growth".

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long presents the Best Feature Film to the Iranian film crew. (Photo: KHIEU MINH).

The festival’s highest honour of Best Feature Film went to Iran’s “Hard Shell”. Director Majid-Reza Mostafavi won Best Director, while Payman Maadi received the Best Actor award for his role in the same film. The Iranian short “Typesetter” won Best Short Film.

Additional awards included Best Actress for Tiina Tauraite from Estonia’s “8 Views of Lake Biwa”, which also received the Jury Award.

Russia’s “Liar” won the Asian Film Commissions Network (AFCNet) Award, and Cambodia’s “The Rubber Tappers” won the Jury Award for short films. Meanwhile, Vietnamese actress Ngoc Xuan was named Most Promising Young Actress.

The Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee also presented commendations to filmmakers contributing to the city’s cinematic landscape, including notable directors and screenwriters who highlighted the city’s heritage in their work.

The festival showcased 117 films from 51 countries, featured seminars and exhibitions, and provided a platform for filmmakers worldwide to network and explore collaboration opportunities, all while promoting Vietnamese cinema and tourism on the international stage.

(Source: NDO)