Iranian animator Ashkan Raghozar will participate as a jury member in the New Talents section of the 9th Berlin Animation Festival (FAB), which will take place in Berlin, Germany, from October 8 to 11.
According to IRNA, Raghozar is one of four jury members, who also include animation director Anthe Hein, film producer Frank Zax, and stop-motion designer.
Furthermore, during the festival, Raghozar's latest animated work, 'Juliet and the King,' will be screened, followed by a session titled 'Animation Between Art and Challenge.' In this session, the director will discuss the process of creating a drawn animated film in Iran.
As part of this thematic study, Raghozar will share details about the creation of his feature-length animated film 'Juliet and the King.' This 90-minute two-dimensional family animation tells the story of how the Iranian king Nasser al-Din Shah receives an invitation to visit France. He shows interest in Europe and often takes the opportunity to visit it.
During his visit, the actress catches his attention while attending a performance of 'Romeo and Juliet' in Paris. The king falls so deeply in love with her that he asks her to stage the same play in Tehran to impress him and win his heart.
Yuli, the actress, decides to seize this chance. With the help of her friend Jamal, she travels to perform in Iran, expecting career advancement. However, she suddenly finds herself among the envious ladies of the court and in the spotlight of the king.
Combining a traditional Disney-style fairy tale with a 19th-century backdrop in Iran, a compelling exploration of cultural contrast is created. The action takes place in the second half of the century, and this story represents Raghozar's interpretation of how Persian society viewed the world. Although times have certainly changed, the explored themes remain relevant and thought-provoking.
The animated film premiered at the 43rd Fadr Film Festival last year. It has participated in several international film festivals and has already received six prestigious awards.
The Berlin Animation Festival is the first film festival dedicated to animation in the capital of Germany. Since the festival focuses on artistic animation of all types, FAB annually showcases the best animated films in both regional and international categories.
FAB aims not only to promote many filmmakers but also to pay tribute to the art of animation. Filmmakers from Berlin and around the world get the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and present their work to the public.
In addition to the competition categories, the festival includes a rich supplementary program related to animation themes. As a platform where inspiration, creative exchange, innovation, and communication converge, it strives to create a meeting point for both emerging and established filmmakers, as well as the local audience.