Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran: Supporting Unknown Young Filmmakers is Essential

The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran stated that the arrests and pressure on Iranian filmmakers are not limited to specific groups and well-known individuals, emphasizing that "supporting unknown young filmmakers in Iran" is necessary. In a statement on Thursday, August 17, the association expressed gratitude to "filmmakers supporting freedom of expression worldwide" and also to the "Scorsese family," stressing that "the arrest, pressure, and harassment of Iranian filmmakers is not confined to a specific and recognized group." The statement highlighted: "It is essential to support unknown young filmmakers in Iran who are under pressure and threat every day and whose situations are ignored by the media." The independent cultural institution added that "the rulings of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic regarding filmmakers are clearly influenced by the regime's security institutions" and that "these rulings are issued primarily to threaten and belittle artists, reflecting the inhumane and unethical behavior of the Islamic Republic regime." This statement was released after the managers of the Cannes Film Festival reacted to the prison sentence and social sanctions against Saeed Roustayi, the director of the film 'Brothers Leyla,' condemning this action of the Islamic Republic and deeming it a "serious violation of freedom of expression." Martin Scorsese also initiated a campaign calling for global unity to revoke this ruling. The statement emphasized that "to combat widespread repression and oppression, we must unite," adding: "Although the complex conditions of filmmaking in Iran sometimes lead to names like Javad Norouzbeigi, who is himself a colonel in the IRGC and affiliated with the censorship and repression system, being brought in as a producer or decision-maker in films, the independent filmmaking community in Iran will never forget the role of censorship agents and military personnel infiltrating cinema." The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran, IFMA, also announced that "on the eve of the first anniversary of the glorious Mahsa uprising, propaganda games and repetitive security scenarios will not disrupt the unity and solidarity of the people and the artistic community." Last month, young actor Mohammad Sadeghi was arrested after protesting the return of the morality police to the streets and the intensification of pressures to enforce mandatory hijab for women while speaking live on Instagram with his audience. This protesting actor broadcast live images of security forces storming his home. During the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, many cultural and cinematic figures in Iran who supported the popular protests were arrested, and humiliating rulings were issued against them. Hamed Soleiman-Zadeh, a film critic and researcher, described the rulings issued against some filmmakers in Iran as "ridiculous" and "a mockery of the entire status of art and the artist," stating that "the issuance of such rulings is the result of the confusion of the cinematic and judicial authorities in Iran, who truly do not know what to do."