‘Tale of Pari’, ‘Seahorse’ Win Prestigious Awards

Date: 10 August 2025 - 21:53

News ID: ۱۴۲۴۲۲

TEHRAN -- Ashkan Shapouri, the

acclaimed Iranian filmmaker, has added another international accolade to his growing list of honors.

He received the Best Director award at the Milan Film Festival for his poignant drama The Tale of Pari (“Ghesse-ye Pari”), following his recent Best Screenplay win at the Athens Film Festival.

The Milan jury praised Shapouri’s direction as “classic, ambitious, and flawlessly crafted,” highlighting his skill in creating deeply dramatic moments. The Tale of Pari, a dark romantic drama and record-holder with 11 nominations at the Hollywood Los Angeles Film Festival, tells the story of Mahour, a theater makeup artist who cares for her father suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Speaking to IRNA, Shapouri shared that the film stemmed from a personal place. “Ten years ago, I was making a film in a nursing home and met many Alzheimer’s patients. One of them only remembered his wife. I wanted to create a film exploring this experience.” He also noted a Belgian doctor who saw the film recommended it to families and professionals dealing with Alzheimer’s.

Reflecting on the humanitarian turmoil in Gaza, Shapouri dedicated his award to the children living through the conflict. “The project Israel has undertaken is pure destruction. The injustice against Gaza’s children is a human tragedy that demands no silence. Filmmakers with a global voice must speak out.”

Shapouri’s film has earned international recognition from festivals including Route 66 (USA), Athens (Greece), and Los Angeles (USA). The cast features Hussein Moridi, Odin Roshan, Hamid Khandan, and others, with Majid Babaei producing.

‘Seahorse’ Wins Best Independent Short at Touchstone Festival

Meanwhile, Pegah Sajadi’s short film Seahorse has garnered the Best Independent Short award for July at the Touchstone Film Festival in Florida, USA. After screening at five international festivals, the film’s blend of fantasy and social critique explores gender roles and societal stereotypes through a reversed reality where men experience what women endure.

Starring Amir Muhammad Atashi, Mastaneh Morid, Amir Sina Oladzad, and Reza Jamshidi, Seahorse offers a fresh, innovative approach to questions of identity and gender boundaries. The Touchstone Festival spotlights bold, creative works by independent filmmakers worldwide, showcasing them online monthly and culminating in a year-end showcase of top selections.