The thirty-eighth edition of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan kicked off on Saturday with a solemn ceremony dedicated to the memory of children's and adolescent martyrs. Attendees included festival secretary Hamed Jafari, Isfahan Mayor Ali Kassemzadeh, members of the City Council, and municipal officials.
The ceremony began with a visit to the Martyr's Cemetery in Isfahan, where participants paid tribute to the city's children and adolescents, as well as those who died during the Twelve-Day War and the Ramadan War, according to IRNA.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jafari expressed hope that the festival would be a blessing for future generations, allowing children and adolescents to live with optimism, motivation, and a positive outlook on the future. He noted that he hoped the martyrs, who gave their lives for Iran and its people in recent wars, could witness the opening of this new edition of the festival, thanking the participants and organizers for their efforts.
For his part, Kassemzadeh stated that the atmosphere of the festival this year is different, especially after the death of children at Shajare Tayyeb School in Minab. The mayor emphasized that it is natural for the tragedy at Shajare Tayyeb School in Minab to affect the festival's atmosphere, and one cannot remain indifferent to such events.
Nevertheless, the mayor noted that the festival has maintained its cultural and artistic character, citing the determination of the people of Isfahan to support social and cultural activities even during periods of conflict and enemy attacks. He added that this spirit was reflected in the continuation of the festival, and difficult circumstances should not prevent children from realizing their talents, dreams, and creative ideas.
Kassemzadeh expressed hope that the festival will help establish Isfahan as an international center for children's culture and art, providing an opportunity to present the talents and aspirations of Iranian children to a global audience. He also called the current edition the first international festival in Isfahan after the US aggression against Iran, noting that steps have been taken to strengthen the event's international status after 38 editions.
As part of Isfahan's efforts to develop a child-friendly city, Kassemzadeh reported that cinemas have been distributed across various districts of the city to improve the accessibility of screenings and festival programs for families and children. He specified that the organizers aimed to make the festival not just a venue for film screenings, but a platform where children could participate, be noticed, and interact with cultural and artistic activities.
The families of the martyrs were also honored during the ceremony: Sayyed Mostafa Tabatabaei, Jafar Akapur, Mehdi Nasr Isfahani, Moein Heidari, Mehdi Bokai, and others. The thirty-eighth International Film Festival for Children and Youth will run until October 8th in Isfahan with the participation of the Farabi Film Fund and the Isfahan Municipality.