Base of FIFF is for shaping communication and interaction between Iranian cinema and other countries. In this important international event not only capacities of Iranian Cinema will be introduced to other countries but also the place of Iranian filmmakers will be raised too. Iranian filmmakers have dialogues with other artists came from other countries and during these talks and face-to-face meetings, the field for their co-activities will be provided more. These days 36th FIFF is being held in Tehran and the special point is that audience welcomed it warmly…we had an interview with Amir Esfandiari, the international deputy of FIFF;
Mr. Esfandiari, you have worked in international affairs of Iranian Cinema for more than twenty years; in Iranian Cinema, when everybody talks about international connections or international section of a festival, unconsciously, your name comes to mind. With this long experience, I want to know what is the difference between this edition of FIFF with last ones, especially when we know that it passed the way of trial and error.
FIFF is being held for the fourth time as a separate film festival. When it was held simultaneously with national section, many events of international section were ignored. From the year that Mr. Mirkarimi became the festival director of FIFF, many sections have been added to the festival and it became more vast. Darolfonoun section or Fan Club (with having 28 thousand members) are two of these impressive sections. I even can say that this edition of the festival is more fruitful comparing last years; number of international guests that came to Iran and the films which are screened in different sections of the festival can approve the point that FIFF is a mature film festival.
In last editions one of the criticisms that the festival received was that foreign films had no audience.
Yes, it was heard but this edition is different and films have lots of audience. This year there was no place at opening night! There was no empty seat at all!
of course, because of the historical capability of Tehran and generally Iran has in absorbing international guests is so important and efficient.
Yes, with concentration that the festival has in Charsou Cineplex and international guests who’re accommodated in Ferdowsi Hotel and can walk to venue, they can see many museums and historical buildings in this way. Hopefully, the festival has had good growth this edition.
Another topic that was titled was about the date of holding FIFF which is very close to the date of Cannes Film Festival and it has made some problems in inviting international guests for being presented in Tehran.
Not only in inviting international guests but also in preparing the festival programs which has interference with Nowroz holidays, and make the situation difficult for festival team.
Is there any decision for changing the date?
In some professional meetings we have, the topic is proposed and it seems that its better to be changed. The only reason of FIAP to not list us in grade A was due to the festival date! Last year the representative of FIAP came to Iran and he accepted the quality of the festival totally.
Many guests from different countries came to Iran, artists like Oliver Stone, Jean-Pierre Leo, Larry Smith, Nicola Pigionni, Franco Nero,…could you tell us about their presence and the connections and consultations.
Every each section of the festival has its unique connections and consultations; during a year, the advisors of the festival work on it. in this edition, we have a good film package.
What about Oliver Stone?
It was Pusan International Film Festival that Oliver Stone was the jury member at there and I invited him to be present in FIFF. He had a good memory of being present in FIFF and he accepted our offer at there!
It seems that we have extremes in our attitudes, last edition, FIFF had only one competitive section and this edition has about 18 sections, can’t be the cause of audience wondering?
Naturally, the process of holding a festival with getting some feedbacks can be changeable. I myself believe that the most successful film festivals around the world must be examined to be able to walk more confident. We have had three main sections in the festival during all editions.
Rather than the three main sections…I mean sections like Georgia Cinema, Italy, or Special Screenings of Our World…
As festival team believes that every each section of the festival has its special attraction for audience. In last edition, most of these events had lots of audience and they were warmly welcomed. I think adding sections to a festival is not important, the importance is the quality that sections must have. I totally believe that different sections of FIFF have this rich content and watching them are highly recommended to audience. Watching these films can be efficient for those who are doing artistic work. Darolfonoun section and talent Campus also have held good programs in these years.
Have Darolfonoun section and talent Campus had some special achievements?
I told times and times that holding these kinds of workshops will be determined after a while. I just remember that many years ago, during holding Fajr Film Festival we invited Nuri Bilge Ceylan and he participated in Fajr. In those years he wasn’t known also “Semih Kaplanoğlu”. Last year, Jessica was the member of jury board in international section, she became familiar with one of the students of Darolfonoun and now they are cooperating with each other.
Therefore, you want to say that the main target of festival in communication has been achieved?
Yes for sure.
The effects of holding these kinds of workshops like Darolfonoun’s ones will be determined in time.
I think adding sections to a festival is not important, the importance is the quality that sections must have.