TEHRAN -- In lieu of its once-celebrated annual awards gala, Iran’s House of Cinema will mark National Cinema Day with a public event held outdoors at the Cinema Museum, opting for reflection and solidarity over celebration.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that the grand House of Cinema ceremony—previously a staple of the Iranian film calendar—will not take place. 
Once regarded as a prestigious occasion rivaling the Fajr Film Festival, the event has historically brought together members of Iran’s diverse cinema guilds for a night of camaraderie and peer-judged honors. The iconic House of Cinema statuette, cherished by filmmakers for its craft-based recognition, will once again remain unawarded.
According to organizers, the absence of an official competition and awards presentation this year stems from the inability to properly jury films released under irregular post-pandemic conditions. But beyond logistical hurdles, the decision reflects a deeper cultural sensitivity: in a time of social and economic strain, organizers stress that calling the event a “celebration” would be tone-deaf.
“This is not a festival or a party,” emphasized House of Cinema officials at a press conference earlier this week. “In today’s climate, the word ‘celebration’ feels inappropriate. This is a gathering of respect—for cinema as an art form that has stood beside the people through joy, hardship, and sorrow.”
Scheduled for Friday, September 21, the evening program will begin at 7 p.m. in the open-air courtyard of Tehran’s Cinema Museum. While no awards will be presented, tributes and acknowledgments are planned to honor those who have contributed to the vitality of Iranian cinema.
In a move to include the broader public, a large screen will be installed in the museum’s outer grounds, allowing cinema enthusiasts to participate in the event. The day will also coincide with a nationwide initiative offering half-price tickets at all theaters across the country.