Qeshm – In a significant boost for Iran’s cultural tourism, the picturesque Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf will host the inaugural Avaye Solh (Voice of Peace) International Film Festival this November. This prestigious event positions Iran as a new hub for international cinematic dialogue and peace-building through art.
Organized under the auspices of the Cultural and Artistic Department of the House of Iran’s Peace Corps, in partnership with the Qeshm Free Zone Organization and the Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Free Zones, the festival has already generated substantial global interest. Under the direction of Laleh Eskandari, the event will showcase national and international works across short film, feature film, documentary, and animation categories.
The festival’s call for entries has already resonated worldwide, with over 500 submissions received from Iran and 11 other countries, including the United States, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, China, and Australia. Short fiction films currently represent the largest share of entries.
To ensure even greater global participation, the festival’s website will reopen for submissions tomorrow for a final 10-day window, offering filmmakers a last chance to be part of this landmark event.
More Than a Festival: A Mission for Peace
Founded on the belief that art is a universal language, the Avaye Solh International Film Festival is conceived as a dynamic platform for artists and audiences who believe in the power of storytelling to foster a more compassionate world.
The festival aims to showcase films that reflect themes of hope, friendship, and awareness, with the power to move hearts and minds. By bridging the worlds of art and peace, it seeks to create a vital space for dialogue and listening, amplifying voices that are often drowned out in today’s world.
“This initiative strives to become a catalyst in the cultural landscape of Iran and the region,” a statement from the organizers read, “building a bridge between hearts that long for a better life for all humankind.”
While the first edition is dedicated to cinema, future editions are planned to expand into other artistic disciplines, all united in the goal of promoting global peace and amplifying the message of peace through the universal language of art.
BY: The Times Union
