WANA (Jun 12) – Iranian cinema continues its international ascent, with the short film “Sheep” selected for two major festivals in the U.S. and Japan, and the animated feature “Juliet and the King” making its world premiere at Canada’s Fantasia Festival. Meanwhile, the 15th Grand Celebration of Iranian Film Critics and Writers has announced nominees for Best Sound Engineering and Best Technical Achievement.

 

“Sheep” Heads to Palm Springs and Short Shorts Film Festivals

Iranian short film “Sheep”, written, directed, and produced by Hadi Babaeifar, has been officially selected for the 31st Palm Springs International ShortFest in the United States, where it will compete in the International Competition for Best Foreign Short Film.

 

The festival, the largest short film event in the U.S., will run from June 24 to 30, 2025, in California. It is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, meaning winners qualify for Oscar 2026 consideration in the short film category.

 

“Sheep” is also set to appear at the 27th Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia in Japan, another Oscar-qualifying event and one of Asia’s most prestigious short film festivals. The short stars Roz Tabatabaei and Gelavizh Alam in lead roles.

Juliet and the King. WANA News Agency

“Juliet and the King” Premieres at Fantasia Festival in Canada

In its first international screening, the feature-length animated film “Juliet and the King”, directed by Ashkan Rahgozar, has been selected for the 29th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada. The festival, known for celebrating genre films, animation, and visionary storytelling, runs from July 16 to August 3, 2025.

 

“Juliet and the King” will compete for the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation, named after the legendary Japanese filmmaker. This award honors animated works that demonstrate innovation, artistic merit, and narrative impact.

 

The film offers a poetic, fantastical retelling of a historical story, portraying the complex relationship between Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and a French actress named Juliet in an imaginative setting.

 

Fantasia 2025 will open with “Eddington”, the latest film by Ari Aster, with “Juliet and the King” included among a strong lineup that has already drawn the attention of critics and animation enthusiasts.

Juliet and the King. WANA News Agency

Critics’ Celebration Reveals Sound and Technical Nominees

The 15th Grand Celebration of Iranian Film Critics and Writers has announced the nominees for Best Sound Engineering and Best Technical Achievement, based on the votes of academy members.

 

Best Sound Engineering Nominees:

  • Bahman Ardalan (Western Sky)
  • Amir Hatami & Alireza Alavian (The Last Snow)
  • Mehdi Ebrahimzadeh & Faramarz Abolsedgh (The Girls’ Squad)
  • Masih Hadpour Seraj & Mohammad Mehdi Javaheri-Zadeh (In the Arms of the Tree)
  • Mehran Malakouti & Alireza Alavian (World War III)
  • Saeed Bojnourdi & Alireza Alavian (Cause of Death: Unknown)
  • Mansour Shahbazi & Alireza Alavian (The Grassland)
  • Amin Mirshakari & Alireza Alavian (Breakfast with Giraffes)
  • Mehran Malakouti & Masih Hadpour Seraj (The Situation of Mehdi)
  • Amir Nobakht & Alireza Alavian (Souvenir from the South)

 

the Cannes Film Festival / WANA

Cannes Palme d’Or Goes to “A Simple Accident”

WANA (May 25) – The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival concluded last night with the announcement of its winners. The prestigious Palme d’Or for Best Film was awarded to A Simple Accident, directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi — a selection that, according to some critics, drew attention more for its political context […]

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Best Technical Achievement Nominees:

  • Milad Mohammadi (Animation Techniques – Kianoush’s Garden)
  • Honar Pooya Group (Animation Techniques – Clever Kid)
  • Aseman Khial Studio (Animation Techniques – The Dolphin Boy)
  • Seyed Hadi Eslami (VFX – Parviz Khan)
  • Iman Karamian (Practical Effects – World War III)
  • Maral Jirani (Costume Design – The Executioner of Traitors)
  • Soheil Danesh Eshraghi (Production Design – «Killing a Traitor)
  • Amirhossein Hadad (Production Design – Breakfast with Giraffes)
  • Mona Jafari (Makeup Design – The Grassland)
  • Iman Karamian (Practical Effects – The Situation of Mehdi)

 

Over 207 Iranian films screened in the past three years were evaluated in 13 categories by more than 100 members of the Iranian Film Critics and Writers Association. Additional category nominations will be announced shortly. The awards ceremony, chaired by Jafar Goodarzi, will take place on June 21, 2025.