“The decision was made by the organizers based on the current situation of the country, which has encountered cultural and economic problems, and we felt we must do our share,” Iranian House of Cinema director Manuchehr Shahsavari said during a press conference.

“We are passing through days filled with sorrow, and considering our deep patriotic feelings, we decided to hold the celebration with good film judgment but avoid any big ceremony,” he explained.

“This was a hard decision for us because we were supposed to enjoy a good day but this is a group decision,” he said.

Actor Ali Nasirian, the president of the 20th edition of the Iran Cinema Celebration, also hoped that the celebration would be held with the best way possible filled with kindness and friendship.

“We must avoid any unfriendly behaviors. These types of celebrations are held to promote peace and friendship,” Nasirian said.

Cinematographer Turaj Mansuri, the secretary of the policy-making council of Iran Cinema Celebration, also present at the event, said that no decision has been made on how to hold the celebration, adding, “There have been different propositions such as announcing the winners through the media or live on TV, however, our main goal is to reduce expenses”

The Iranian House of Cinema organizes the celebration annually to commemorate Iran’s National Day of Cinema on September 12.

However, this year the date coincides with the Muharram mourning season, and the exact date of the gala will be announced later.

The post Iran Cinema Celebration cancels award ceremony over economic climate appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The appointment was decided during the Monday meeting of the Board of Trustees of the celebration, which is annually organized by the Iranian House of Cinema.

The 20th Iran Cinema Celebration will be held during September. The exact date of the gala will be announced later.

Photo: Actor Ali Nasirian in an undated photo.

The post Actor Ali Nasirian picked as president of Iran Cinema Celebration appeared first on Iran News Daily.

He lamented the prohibition on female musicians in some Iranian cities. “Why is a woman allowed to study music but she cannot perform,” he asked.

He also criticized Iranian websites for the illegal uploading of the works by Iranian musicians and said that many veteran musicians are reluctant to produce works due to the lack of a copyright law in the country.

He called Iranians a lawful people and censured the state-run Iranian television over its negligence in educating people on copyrights.

Nurbakhsh announced a plan to establish an office to protect the rights to musical products in Iran in the near future.

The House of Music Celebration is organized annually to honor Iran’s top musical products.

“Shall Live in Love” from vocalist Vahid Taj was selected as best album in the Iranian traditional music category. Majid Molania is the composer of the collection.

“Subdued” by vocalist Homayun Shajarian received the best album of the year in the Iranian dastgah music category. The collection has been composed by Sohrab Purnazeri.

In the classical music section, “A cappella” from Damour band was named best album.

A number of musicians received lifetime achievement awards while the organizers also paid tribute to several musical figures who passed away over the past year.

The post Criticism overshadows Iran’s House of Music Celebration appeared first on Iran News Daily.

The film was honored in seven categories, including best film, best director, and best screenplay while “The Salesman” actor Babak Karimi and Farhadi’s assistant, Maryam Naraqi, accepted the awards in his absence.

Farhadi, who is currently busy making his new film “Everybody Knows” in Spain, thanked the Iranian House of Cinema, the organizer of the gala, in a video screened during the celebration at Tehran’s Payam Club.

The films’ star Shahab Hosseini was named best actor and Farid Sajjad-Hosseini won the best supporting actor award for his role in the movie.

Film editor Hayedeh Safiyari and set designer Keyvan Moqaddam also received awards for their collaboration in the film.

“Subdued” by Hamid Nematollah also emerged victorious by winning five awards at the celebration.

Leila Hatami was named best actress for her role in the film and the director of photography Farshad Mohammadi, sound engineer Babak Ardalan, sound effects engineer Bahman Ardalan, and special effects engineer Sina Qavidel were also honored for their collaboration in the movie.

“Red Nail Polish” by Seyyed Jamal Seyyed-Hatami brought its star Pantea Panahiha the best supporting actress award.

Karen Homayunfar received the best composer award for Puria Azarbaijani’s war drama, “Arvand”.

The award for best costume designer was presented to Abbas Bolondi for “The Orphanage of Iran” by Abolqasem Talebi, while Abdollah Eskandari and Mehrdad Mirkiani won the award for best makeup artist for “Lanturi” by Reza Dormishian.

Monir Qeidi’s debut feature film “The Villa Tenants” won Iman Karamian the award for best practical special effects supervisor.

Farnush Abedi’s “The Servant” was selected as best animation and “Animal”, co-directed by Bahram and Bahman Ark, was named best short.

“Womanliness” directed by Mohsen Ostadali won the best documentary award and Mehdi Qanavati received the best director award in the documentary category.

The organizers also paid a tribute to director Vahid Jalilvand and actor Navid Mohammadzadeh for their triumph at the Venice International Film Festival. Earlier on Sunday, Jalilvand won the Orizzonti award for best director for “No Date, No Signature” and Mohammadzadeh received the Orizzonti best actor award at the Italian event.

The post “The Salesman” wins big at Iran Cinema Celebration appeared first on Iran News Daily.

It was attended by representatives of the state and public organizations, members of the government, employees of ministries and departments, leading workers of various socio-economic spheres, heads of foreign embassies and representative offices of international organizations in our country.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miramonovich Mirziyoyev delivered a keynote speech in the festive meeting. He congratulated all the people of Uzbekistan on the twenty-sixth anniversary of independence.

In his speech President of Uzbekistan noted the population’s living standards are gradually growing as a result of implementation of the noble idea “Reforms not for the sake of reforms, but primarily for people”, a step-by-step transition to a socially-oriented market economy, large-scale creative work. Legal democratic reforms and attention to increasing spirituality have changed consciousness and thinking, the worldview of our people.

Based on the idea of “We will build a free, democratic and prosperous state of Uzbekistan together with our courageous and noble people”, implementation of radical reforms on modernization of the country, improving the quality and efficiency of public administration system has begun. The activity of governing bodies has been improved, many ministries and departments have been transformed, new structures have been organized.

On the principle “People must not serve to public authorities, but public authorities should serve people” is established a modern and effective system of dialogue with people. The activities of the Virtual and Public reception of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, public receptions at places are contributing to the protection of human interests.

Proceeding from the idea “If the people are rich – then the state will be rich and strong” special attention is paid to providing broad opportunities for the population, raising people’s real incomes, further developing entrepreneurship, creating workplaces, expanding exports.

In order to realization planned goals in the country began active work to modernization and diversification of the economy, increase its export potential, construction of new modern high-tech plants and factories, transformation in agriculture through targeted investment in export-oriented production.

Large-scale transformations encompass the social sphere also. To provide the population with affordable housing in the country implemented a special program for 2017 and 2021, according to which will be built about 1,200 high-rise buildings and in rural areas more than 100 thousand houses under standard projects.

The state is also focused on rising to a new level of activity of the parliament and such important institutions as civil society, political parties and public organizations. Carried out fundamental reforms in the field of the science and education, the system of school and preschool education is radically changing.

As a key priority of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy activity, President of Uzbekistan defined to development of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with countries of the near and far abroad.

In conclusion it should be noted that International authority of Uzbekistan is steadily growing due to peace and stability. The most developed countries, leading world banks and companies are willing to cooperate with our country.

The post Festive celebration dedicated to the 26th Anniversary of the Independence of Republic of Uzbekistan Held at “Uzbekiston” Palace of Int’l Forums appeared first on Iran News Daily.