Five films from Iran were awarded at the 21st 'In the Circle of Family' Film Festival, which took place in the Yaroslavl region of Russia. Last week, the main competition for feature films concluded.
Main Festival Awards
The Grand Prix of the main feature film competition was awarded to the Iranian film 'Whisper My Name', directed by Rasoul Sadrameli. The joint project of Iran and Tajikistan, 'Fish on the Hook', directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar, also received two prizes. Among the awards for 'Fish on the Hook' were the Best Actor award for Abdullah Abdulrahimzoda and the Best Sound Design award, according to the IRNA agency.
About the Film 'Whisper My Name'
The film 'Whisper My Name', also known as 'Call Me Ziba', tells the story of a young girl named Ziba. On her birthday, striving for independence, her life is complicated by the sudden appearance of her father, who escaped from a psychiatric hospital. This 2025 drama features actors such as Amin Hayai, Juliet Rezai, Mehrehan Ghafourian, and Setareh Pesyani. It is worth noting that this film previously won the Best Film award at the 'Fajr' Film Festival in 2025.
The Story of 'Fish on the Hook'
'Fish on the Hook' tells the story of Daler, a ten-year-old boarding school student. He goes on a journey with Samad, a player, to find his mother, Khurshedo. Along the way, they encounter various difficulties that contribute to Daler's growth and help him understand the significance of choice. After meeting his mother, the boy has to make a fateful decision that could change his life forever.
Awards in the Short Film Competition
In the short film competition, the special prize fund went to the film 'Farewell Paris', directed by Mohammad Ebrahimi Shabbazi. The film 'Paper Flowers', directed by Ramak Aminkazemi, received the Best Animation award, and cinematographer Ali Hosseinzadeh was awarded the Best Cinematography award for the film 'The Exile', directed by Seyed Sajjad Hosseini.
Judges and Mission of the Festival
The competition programs this year were evaluated by renowned cinematographers from Russia, China, South Korea, and Iran. Among the jury members was the Iranian screenwriter, producer, and college professor Shadmehr Rastin, who is a member of the Oscar Academy and has been writing screenplays for Iranian films and TV series since 1996.
The festival presents the best world films for family viewing, annually hosting over 20 countries. Its main goal is to popularize cinema that addresses themes of love and loyalty and to support family values. The festival program includes three competitions: feature films (main), children's feature and animation films, and short works, in addition to business and social events. It is the largest family film festival in Russia.