The Fajr Film Festival is Iran’s most prestigious film festival, held annually in Tehran since 1982 in mid-February. Organized by the Farabi Film Foundation under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, it has played a vital role in shaping Iran’s cinematic landscape. The festival replaced the Tehran International Film Festival, which was discontinued following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. As of 2024, 42 editions of the festival have taken place, making it a significant event in the cultural calendar of Iran.
History and Activities
The Fajr Film Festival emerged as a replacement for the Tehran International Film Festival, which was held before the 1979 Iranian Revolution with the support of the Special Office of Farah Pahlavi. The Tehran International Film Festival showcased both Iranian and international films, but its closure in the aftermath of the revolution left a gap in the country’s film culture. In 1982, the Fajr Film Festival was inaugurated during the Fajr decade, a ten-day celebration marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. The first festival, held from February 12 to 22, 1982, was directed by Hossein Vakhshuri.