TEHRAN -- The Ali Moallem ceremony invites Iranian theater-makers and musicians to submit eligible works, with entries closing on November 6, 2026.
The call for entries has been announced for the theater and music categories of the fourth edition of the Hafez Music & Theater Awards, also known as the Ali Moallem Ceremony. 
Artists and industry professionals are invited to submit their work through the awards’ official website, following the rules and eligibility requirements established for each category.
The awards aim to recognize outstanding achievements in Iranian theater and music, celebrating both established artists and emerging talent.
The theater competition spans a broad range of disciplines, including stage productions, street and site-specific theater, puppetry, children’s and young people’s theater, playwriting, and large-scale theatrical productions.
Awards will recognize achievements in directing, writing, acting, producing and technical design, alongside distinctions for street and site-specific performances, puppetry and children’s theater, large-scale productions, and performers appearing in them. 
The Ali Moallem Award will also be presented to an emerging talent in Iranian theater.
Eligible productions must have been staged between January 20, 2025, and September 22, 2026, in accordance with the regulations and licensing requirements applicable to their respective categories.
The playwriting category will consider original Iranian plays that were either staged or published as books during the same period.
The music competition will focus on works released between January 20, 2025, and September 22, 2026, across two principal categories: traditional-fusion music and pop.
The awards will honor achievements in songwriting, composition, arrangement and vocal performance in both categories. Additional distinctions include Track of the Year, Best Arranger 
for Pop and Traditional-Fusion Orchestra Performances, and Best Live Performance by a Pop Singer.
Two further awards—“Pop Fever of the Year” and Outstanding Talent in Pop Music—will spotlight the year’s defining pop phenomena and promising new artists.
Technical, production and performance awards will also be determined in consultation with the jury, with further details to be announced at a later date.
All eligible musical works must have been officially released. Submissions will be evaluated across the full spectrum of their creation, including lyrics, composition, arrangement and vocals.
Applications and submissions for both theater and music must be completed through the official Hafez Awards website: 
www.hafezawards.com
The final deadline for submitting entry forms and works is November 6, 2026. The organizers have stated that the deadline will not be extended.
Participants are responsible for complying with the rules and regulations of their chosen categories. Failure to meet the requirements may result in disqualification from the judging process.
The fourth Hafez Music & Theater Awards (Ali Moallem Ceremony) seeks to recognize and celebrate outstanding works and distinguished artists in Iranian theater and music, bringing a diverse range of creative practices into the spotlight.