On the other hand, playwright and director Mohammad Yaqoubi holds a different view, arguing that the festival should primarily serve as a launching pad for emerging talent. He contends that participation in the festival should not guarantee a public performance and suggests that established professionals should step aside to allow young artists to gain recognition.
Similarly, theater director Nima Dehghan shared his experience, stating that while he once aspired to win the festival’s prestigious awards, he later realized that the true value of the festival lies beyond mere accolades. Dehghan expressed his belief that a balance should be struck between public performances and festival participation.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
In the 34th edition of the festival, under the leadership of Secretary Saeed Asadi, a significant policy change was introduced, mandating that only performances with prior public runs could be eligible for festival participation. This shift aimed to enhance the credibility and quality of festival entries, ensuring that audiences experienced well-polished and proven productions.