TEHRAN -- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Muhammad Mahdi Esmaili said during the opening of the 35th International Film Festival for Children and Youth Saturday that Iran will step up investment in children’s cinema.
The festival, he said, is a chance to gather children together and share Iranian culture and art among them.
“Today, Iran’s Islamic Revolution, with a span of more than forty years, has raised great children in every period and generation. Iran has been the cradle of high-ranking martyrs, great men and women who marked our proud history,”’ he said.
Addressing the young judges and journalists of the festival, the minister, “You are the great treasures of this country.”
The government, he said, has put culture and art as the basis of its foundation, adding there are still many problems in this field that should be addressed.
Esmail said, “We see this festival as an important step in the beginning of a bright path, and we will make a big investment in the field of children’s films.”
The 35th International Film Festival for Children and Youth is taking place in Isfahan from October 7 to 12.