An Iranian film and one of its creators are participating in the 39th film festival in Herceg Novi, which started in Montenegro on Saturday. According to IRNA, the documentary 'Nazul,' written, directed, and produced by Yousef Ganati, is competing for the 'Golden Mimosa' award in the main competition program.
This 27-minute film, which is Ganati's debut and is scheduled for release in 2026, tells the story of Seper, a village boy with a beautiful voice and a strong passion for singing, who tries to participate in a talent contest while facing numerous obstacles.
Also attending the 39th film festival in Herceg Novi is Iranian director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi, a two-time Oscar winner. Farhadi will attend the screening of his latest film 'Parallel Stories,' which will take place on Sunday at Forte Mare fortress.
Furthermore, as part of the industrial event Montenegro Film Rendezvous on Tuesday, Asghar Farhadi will conduct a special masterclass. The event will be held in Park Hall, moderated by Vuk Perović.
The film 'Parallel Stories' was created by the French production company Memento Production in 2026 and has a runtime of 139 minutes. This film was previously screened at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
Asghar Farhadi, aged 54, began working in filmmaking during his teenage years, joining the Isfahan Youth Film Community in 1986, where he shot short films on 8mm and 16mm film. In 1998, he graduated from the Tehran University of Theater Arts, and several years later received a master's degree in theater directing, defending a dissertation dedicated to Harold Pinter and the significance of silence and pauses in his dramaturgy.
Farhadi presented his directorial debut with the film 'Dancing in the Dust' (2002), and gained international recognition with 'About Ellie' (2009), for which he won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival. This was followed by the film 'Separation' (2011), which collected over seventy awards, including the Academy Award and the César Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
He filmed 'The Past' (2013) in France, where Berenice Bejo won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival. With the film 'The Seller' (2016), he received awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actor at Cannes, as well as his second Oscar. The film 'The Hero' (2021) received the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film festival in Herceg Novi is considered the most significant film festival in Montenegro, having been held for over three decades. The festival is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF), integrating it into the global network of the world's most prestigious international film festivals.
The main goal of the festival is to promote regional and world cinema, with a special focus on creating a space for filmmakers of both genders who contribute to the development of genuine artistic sensitivity, a bold approach to social reality, cinematic language and production, emphasizing the presentation of a cross-section of contemporary poetics and forms of self-expression.
Within the framework of the festival is Montenegro Film Rendezvous, organized by the Montenegrin Film Center. This industry event aims to strengthen ties between the Montenegrin and European film industries, as well as support the career growth of Montenegrin filmmakers and specialists in this field.
The current edition of the festival, which began on August 22, will run until August 28 in the coastal city of Herceg Novi.