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News ID: 14320
Publish Date : 26 May 2015 - 21:56

Iranian Films Take Home 222 Awards Over Past Year

TEHRAN (CHN) - Cinema Organization of Iran (COI) Director Hojjatollah Ayyubi says Iran’s cinema has gained higher status in the world, having won 222 international awards over the past year.

Ayyubi made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the new managing director of the Iranian House of Cinema (IHC), Reza Mirkarimi, Persian media reported on Monday.
He wished Mirkarimi success and expressed thanks to the former director Mohammad-Mehdi Asgarpur who was also attending the program.
The IHC, which is the guild of Iranian cineastes, was disbanded in early January 2012 by the former minister of culture and Islamic guidance, Mohammad Hosseini, however, Ayyubi made efforts to reopen the IHC a few years later.
"Closing the Iranian House of Cinema was a strategic mistake committed by several officials, and today after the election of the new director and reconciliation of people with cinema, I believe better days are ahead for Iran’s cinema,” Ayyubi said.
He emphasized that theaters are still not sold out for films, but thanked God for people’s reconciliation with cinema.
Addressing the filmmakers attending the ceremony, he said, "People like your films and we will have a brighter future”.
In his brief speech Asgarpur also said that Mirkarimi with his illustrious background is the best choice.
The ceremony was brought to an end honoring Asgarpur with a plague of honor.