Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran: 'The Night Guardian' has been selected by an entity affiliated with the 'Repressive Regime of Iran'

Following the introduction of the film 'The Night Guardian' as Iran's representative at the Oscars, the Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran sent a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stating that this film is a representative of 'Iran's state cinema', chosen and introduced by the Farabi Cinema Foundation, a government entity affiliated with the 'Repressive Regime of Iran'. The Independent Filmmakers Association, 'IFMA', in its letter to the Academy, a copy of which has reached VOA, reminds that the Farabi Cinema Foundation has been sanctioned this year by the Cannes, Berlin, Venice festivals, and several other major global festivals due to its cooperation with the Islamic Republic in the massacre of freedom-seeking protesters in Iran. The association states in its letter to the Academy: 'Last year, the Iranian regime killed hundreds of people, and independent filmmakers in Iran have faced imprisonment, interrogation pressure, and threats, and have been under severe repression, of which the Farabi Cinema Foundation is one of the executing factors.' The association further emphasizes that Farabi officials have repeatedly stated that the selection list is prepared in coordination with security and intelligence agents. 'The Night Guardian' is directed by Reza Mirkarimi. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran continues to ask the Academy whether the excuse of 'lack of public screening' is sufficient for the exclusion of independent products from the Oscars. Does the Academy consider the regime's censorship and repression, and the prohibition of independent films due to censorship as a reason for not meeting the conditions for selection for the Oscars? The association further reminds that in 2023, Iranian independent films received valuable awards from prestigious global festivals, such as: 'Crisis Zone' (Golden Leopard of Locarno), 'Empty Tours' (Karlovy Vary Award), 'Endless Borders' (Tiger of Rotterdam), 'Earthly Verses' (Cannes), 'It Becomes Sunny' (Venice). According to the association, these works are just some of the films that have been secretly made inside Iran despite security issues. The association asks the Academy whether it is fair that the right of independent filmmakers to participate in this ceremony is revoked by the Farabi Cinema Foundation. This cinematic entity concludes by suggesting that a selected group by the Academy of Oscars review this year's independent Iranian films and introduce the true representative of Iranian cinema to the Oscars. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran states: 'We believe that the role of reputable global cinema institutions like the Oscars is to support cinema that conveys messages of peace and freedom in the world.'