Amir Naderi's classic film 'The Runner,' restored in 4K format, will screen at the film festival in Kaohsiung in 2026. Furthermore, the Iranian filmmaker will serve as the chairman of the short film competition jury for the festival.
The XXVI edition of the Kinshasa Film Festival is scheduled from October 9 to 26 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, according to the official event website. Naderi, recognized as a key figure of the new wave of Iranian cinema, will head the five-member final jury of the International Short Film Competition. This competition features works from various genres and forms from around the world.
In addition to his jury duties, Naderi will present his acclaimed 1984 film 'The Runner' at the festival, which was produced by the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (IIDCYA). The 4K digital version has been selected for a special screening at the festival, where its premiere in Taiwan will take place.
The screening of 'The Runner' is set for October 15 and 20 at the Kaohsiung Film Festival Archive. At the first screening, Naderi and Majid Nirumand, who played the lead role of Amiro, will participate, followed by a discussion of the film with the creators.
The film is set in the southern port city of Abadan, Iran. It tells the story of Amiro, an orphan who lives alone and tries to earn a living by polishing shoes, selling water, and collecting empty bottles. His desire to escape poverty and build a better future drives the plot.
'The Runner' is largely based on Naderi's personal childhood experiences and depicts the boy's determination to overcome difficult circumstances through education, perseverance, and the desire to know a wider world. The recurring image of running serves as a central metaphor for survival, freedom, and refusal to give up in the face of adversity.
The film was previously selected for the Venice Film Festival in 1985 and won the Golden Monغولfier award at the Three Continents Festival in Nantes. Since then, it has become one of the internationally recognized works of Iranian cinema and an important example of creativity within the country's new wave.
Naderi, born in Abadan in 1946, is considered a key figure of the Iranian New Wave. His early works often focused on street children, youth, and marginalized people, using concise narratives and a recognizable visual language to explore themes of survival and youthful aspirations. Naderi's films frequently addressed working-class issues, as seen in his debut film 'Goodbye Friend' (1971).
After the Iranian Revolution, Naderi continued making films, including the critically acclaimed 'The Runner' and 'Harmonica,' which gained international recognition and high critical praise.
The 2026 Kinshasa Film Festival received 40 international and 20 Taiwanese short films for its competition, having reviewed 2715 submissions from 97 countries.