LOS ANGELES
Payman Maadi’s New Film to be Released
Set in the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, actor Payman Maadi plays prisoner “Ali” alongside actress Kristen Stewart (best known for her role as Bella in the Twilight series) in the drama Camp X-Ray. Written and directed by first-time director Peter Sattler, the film also stars John Carrol Lynch, Lane Garrison, and Joseph Juliana Soria.
The film premiered on January 17 of this year at the Sundance Film Festival in the United States and will be released on October 17 2014 by IFC films. The film will be screened at different film festivals in France, England, and Abu Dabi.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh Iranian Festival: Call for Musicians
Edinburgh Iranian Festival, through an open selection, will identify an Iranian or non-Iranian music group to perform at the Music Concert due to be held on February 7 2015 at the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland. The festival aims to organize a colorful night and unique opportunity for young and/or experienced musicians to perform in the cultural capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. This concert will accompany a fashion show, in which 7 fashion designers will showcase their work, all inspired by Iran, through a catwalk.
The call for musicians is now open. For more information, please see http://www.ediranfest.co.uk/ where you can download the Registration Form and the Guidelines. Good luck!
QATAR
Shirin Neshat : Afterwards
The first solo exhibition in the region of the Iranian artist Shirin Neshat. The exhibition introduces a group of new and existing works along with interventions including the photographic series, The Book of Kings (2011), Our House is on Fire (2013) as well as the video installation, Turbulent (1998) that build relationships between ancient mythologies and contemporary events that are challenging our lives.
The work of Shirin Neshat explores the relationship between ancient history and the politics of the present narrated through a strong visual language referencing the primal concepts of violence, passion and love in universal history. The artist proposes a different perspective on this collective history, using images that reflect the paradox of beauty and violence.
November 9, 2014 @ 8:00 am – February 15, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
LOS ANGELES
Seventh Annual Farhang Film Festival
The 2015 Farhang Foundation Short Film Festival has officially been announced.
Calling on individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to submit short films visualizing some aspect of Iranian art, culture, and heritage, Farhang Foundation’s annual online short film festival offers contestants the opportunity to compete for $10,000 (first prize), $5,000 (second prize), and $3,000 (third prize).
“Since our first festival, we have been honored to have presented close to $100,000 in cash prizes to talented filmmakers with a passion for Iranian culture. But what they give back to us through their films and stories is truly priceless,” said Mark Amin, Farhang’s Film Festival committee Chair, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to be hosting this festival for the seventh year in a row and look forward to the many wonderful submissions we will soon be receiving.”
The submissions period opens on October 15, 2014 and ends on January 15, 2015. The award ceremony, during which the winning submissions will be screened before a live audience, will take place on March 21, 2015 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The evening will also include a red-carpet arrival, extensive media coverage of the event and the participating contestants, and a reception following.
For more information, including submission guidelines and deadlines, past winning films and filmmakers and much more, please visit the official Festival website at FarhangFilmFest.org.