Culture

iranintl – The Seed of the Sacred Fig, the latest film made by Iranian dissident filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, has been nominated in BAFTA’s hotly contested Film Not In The English Language category. The film has been nominated in the category alongside All We Imagine As Light, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, and Kneecap. In 2024, the movie won the Cannes …

VOA – The music magazine Spin published its “25 Most Influential People in Music In 2025” list, with Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi ranked at the top. Salehi was released from prison in December. He was initially arrested in late October 2022 in connection with nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in morality police custody.Click here to read …

iranintl – Iran’s tourism industry has collapsed over the past five years, with one agency owner describing the situation as “the destruction of the tourism industry,” Tehran-based Etemad newspaper reported. The crisis has reportedly forced the US-designated Bonyad-e Mostazafan (Foundation of the Oppressed), a powerful state-run charitable organization that has expanded into various sectors, including tourism, to sell its hotels. …

Iranwire – The Iranian Music House has condemned the recent arrests of artists, the cancellation of concerts, and the prolonged process of obtaining performance permits. The organization called on the government to address musicians’ concerns, particularly the ongoing restrictions on female artists. The board of directors highlighted the arrest of singer Parastoo Ahmadi and her two accompanying musicians for a virtual concert. …

iranintl – An Iranian movie depicting an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander with close ties to Iran’s Supreme Leader as a hero is set to screen at a Canadian film festival this weekend, stoking controversy in the Iranian-Canadian diaspora. The film, called “Ahmad” is scheduled to play November 30 at the Muslim International Film Festival (MIFF) in Toronto. The …

Iranwire – Iranian director and screenwriter Navid Mihandoost‘s repeated pleas for conditional release have been met with yet another denial, despite having served more than a third of his three-year prison sentence. In an interview with the Emtedad news website, Masoud Keramati, Mihandoost’s close friend and fellow filmmaker, expressed disappointment over the decision. He said, “Mihandoost has repeatedly requested to be …

Iranwire – The Islamic Republic’s authorities have unofficially banned an actress from working in the country after she supported the 2022 protests. Hanieh Tavassoli, a renowned Iranian film actress who publicly supported the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, is facing a “prohibition from acting,” according to her lawyer, Maryam Kian Ersi. Ersi said that Tavassoli has been banned without an official …

iranintl – An Iranian daily has revealed that 14 paintings stolen from Tehran’s Imam Ali Religious Arts Museum have been sold in Dubai, with no information on the whereabouts of 16 other missing works. The museum, overseen by Tehran’s municipality, is now embroiled in a scandal that raises questions about corruption and negligence at the highest levels. Naser Amani, a …

iranintl – Iranian judicial authorities have taken legal action against actress Sahar Dolatshahi for allegedly “dancing” in a scene from a drama series, Dariush, as the government continues its crackdown on personal freedoms. The judiciary labeled her actions “contrary to Islamic principles,” sparking outrage among Iranians who see the move as yet another sign of the government’s control over cultural …

Iranwire – Germany has chosen the film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, directed by Iranian dissident filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, as its entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.  It marks the first time an Iranian film has been submitted by Germany for Oscar consideration. Rasoulof qualified for the selection because the film is an Iranian-French-German …