The opening ceremony of the 19th International Film Festival of Resistance took place in Isfahan on Thursday. Jalal Ghaffari Ghader, the festival secretary, noted that for the first eleven editions, the festival was called the Festival of Sacred Defense. Two changes occurred starting from the twelfth edition: an international focus was added, and the concept of 'Film of Sacred Defense' underwent semantic development and renewal to 'Film of Resistance.'
Ghaffari emphasized that the festival originated from the heart of war and sacred defense. He also noted that holding the current edition against the backdrop of ongoing conflict gives it special significance, considering the events of two recent wars. According to him, understanding film of resistance begins with realizing the very concept of resistance, as any nation decides not to be defeated even before combat begins.
The festival secretary added that the task of film of resistance is not just to record memories, but to form a conviction that must be accepted and trusted in the face of bullets and rifles. He also stated that a heroic nation loves to see its resistance reflected in the mirror of film of resistance, and if cinema only speaks of defeat, it will lead to failure, even with elite military forces. At the same time, film of resistance must distance itself from sloganistic approaches, telling about joy and hope alongside depicting the suffering of war.
Several special events were highlighted during the 19th edition. The first indicator was broad international representation: over 109 countries presented their works, and the presence of more than 1900 international productions demonstrates the global potential of film of resistance. The festival secretary particularly highlighted this unique semantic identity.
During the opening ceremony, the best works in various sections were awarded. The 19th International Film Festival of Resistance is held under the auspices of the Society of Revolutionary and Sacred Defense Cinema. Film of resistance strives to preserve human dignity, representing the sacrifices of peoples, defending the truth, and opposing oppression and domination, as well as presenting to the world stories that were previously little known or unnoticed.
With a history of nearly forty years, the International Film Festival of Resistance is an artistic and cinematic platform dedicated to promoting the spirit of resistance, awareness, and solidarity among the free peoples of the world. The festival's goals include discovering new talents, strengthening the movement of film of resistance, and establishing connections between filmmakers and artists from around the world.
The current 19th edition, with its international scope, focuses on concepts such as freedom, justice, human dignity, peace, hope, and progress, in addition to resistance. It aims to present a modern, diverse, and vibrant view of film of resistance and the human stories associated with it. In this edition, resistance is interpreted more broadly than just fighting on the battlefield or during war; it is viewed as an all-encompassing human struggle against oppression, occupation, discrimination, violence, domination, and oblivion, as well as a striving to preserve truth, identity, freedom, human dignity, and hope for the future.
Beyond the function of a film festival, the event represents a cultural initiative aimed at fostering dialogue between nations and filmmakers worldwide and promoting the achievement of justice, freedom, peace, and human dignity. Screenings of the festival films began on Friday at the Mellat Cinema Complex in Tehran and will continue until November 4.



