Fajr International Festival جشنواره جهانی فیلم فجر (38)

Festival start: 10 December 2020      Festival end: 19 December 2020

Set in the heart of Iran’s capital city, Tehran, Fajr International Film Festival pays tribute to quality national and international films. It is an event that celebrates cultural exchange, displays creative achievements of highly acclaimed cineastes and newcomers and showcases films promoting artistic contribution to the medium. Moreover, the festival also pays special attention to films that seek justice, and highlight humane and moral values.

The festival focuses especially on films from the Middle East, Central Asia, Caucasus, and Anatolia as well as works heralding peace and friendship as true teachings of the holy prophets.

Moreover, the Fajr International Film Festival provides a unique platform in this geographic region for an interchange of professional experience and international meetings. In addition, intensive training courses are being offered to young filmmakers.

Meanwhile, the International Film Market, better known as IFM, provides an excellent opportunity for the acquisition and sales of film rights, co-production projects and offers support for the production and screening of new Iranian films.
The 38th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival will be held from April 16th to 24th, 2020 in Tehran, under the direction of the well-known Iranian filmmaker, Mohammad Mehdi Asgarpour.

• International Competition:
• Golden Simorgh for Best Film (awarded to the film director) + 800.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (jointly to producer and director)
• Silver Simorgh for Best Director + 400.000.000 IRR Cash Prize
• Silver Simorgh for Best Script + 300.000.000 IRR Cash Prize
• Silver Simorgh for Best Actress
• Silver Simorgh for Best Actor
• In the decision of International Jury, the prize list must not contain joint awards and no film can receive more than two awards.
• Silver Simorgh for Best Short Film + 100.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (awarded to the film director)
• Eastern Vista Awards:
• Golden Simorgh for Best Feature Film (awarded to the film director) + 600.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (jointly to producer and director)
• Silver Simorgh for Best Feature Film Director + 300.000.000 IRR Cash Prize
• Silver Simorgh for Best Feature Film Script + 150.000.000 IRR Cash Prize
• Silver Simorgh for Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Artistic Contribution in a Feature Film in the categories of camera, editing, music score, costume or scene design
• Silver Simorgh for Best Short Film + 100.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (awarded to the film director)
• Note: In the verdict of Eastern Vista Jury, the prize list must not contain joint awards and no film can receive more than one award.
• First Film Award:
• Trophy for Best First Feature Film + 150.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (awarded to the film director)

Parallel Awards
The winners of the parallel awards will be announced in a special ceremony.

• MUHAMMAD AL-AMEEN AWARD
• Trophy + Diploma of Honor + 300.000.000 IRR Cash Prize (awarded to the film director) for Reflection of Prophetic Ethics and Morality (for one of the films selected for the main sections of the festival):
• Inter-Faith Award (for Director)
• NETPAC Prize (for Director)
(NETPAC stands for “Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema”)
• International Film Critics Diploma of Honor to One Film in Eastern Vista section (for Director)
• Iranian Film Critics Circles’ Diploma of Honors to Two films in International Competition section (for Director)


• Note: The payment of Cash Prizes will be based on the currency rates available during the festival period.

Eligibility and Formats

• World premiere films and international premiere films are of higher priority respectively.
• Accepted formats: Non-encrypted DCP, Apple ProRes 4444 or Full HD File (plus a Blu-ray backup) with English subtitles.
• Year of completion (for Competitive Sections): 2019-2020
• Year of Completion for Special Screenings, Popular Genre Films, and Docs in Focus: 2018-2020
• Eligible films for main sections:
• Feature films (fiction, documentary, animation) of at least 70 minutes running time, intended for theatrical release.
• Short films (fiction, documentary, animation) of at most 15 minutes running time.
• All films have to be registered through the online film entry.
• The submission form must be completed by the producer or international distributor of the film. In case of theatrical release or any international screenings, Iranian films will not be eligible to enter International Competition and Eastern Vista sections of the festival.
• International films, already premiered in the Middle East, Central Asia, Caucasia and Anatolia (with the exception of the country of origin), will not be selected for the International Competition section.
• In case of submission in previous editions, the film is not eligible to be submitted again.

Selection Process and Programming

• The Festival Director selects and officially invites films to participate in the festival.
• The Festival Director might use the consultation and recommendations of filmmakers and film experts for the selection and invitation of the films and guests.
• All films submitted to the festival may be considered for all sections unless specifically instructed by the applicant.
• The duly completed online entry form with tracking code as well as the previewing versions for selection must reach the Festival Office through the website before the assigned deadline (February 20th, 2020). All forms must be signed by the producer.
• The eligible formats for previewing and selection purposes are downloadable links, DVDs or blu-rays.
• Once a film has been selected, it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
• The Festival Director will settle any case that might arise unexpectedly.
• Participation in the Festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned rules & regulations.