The Golden Simorgh for best film at the 35th Fajr International Film Festival remained at home as Iranian drama “The Home” by producer/director/writer Asghar Yusefinejad won the award on Thursday.

Yusefinejad received the award from Cinema Organization of Iran (COI) director Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian during the closing ceremony of the festival at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall.

In his acceptance speech, Yusefinejad dedicated his award to world-renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami and his homeland Tabriz.

In announcing the best film winner, Iranian actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, who was a member of the jury, said that all seven members of the panel were amazed by “The Home”.

The film, which is Yusefinejad’s directorial debut, also brought him the Silver Simorgh for best screenwriter.

The movie tells the story of Sayeh, who has broken off relations with her family after marriage. Her father dies and she returns home to attend his funeral, but in his last will and testament, he has asked that his remains be donated to an academic center for autopsy. However, Sayeh is diametrically opposed to the idea.

Yusefinejad also received the NETPAC Award, which is presented by a jury assigned by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC).

The best director award went to Iván D. Gaona for his debut “Guilty Men” from Colombia.

Stefan Denolyubov was selected as best actor and his co-star Margita Gosheva won the best actress award for their roles in “Glory” by Bulgarian directors Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov.

The special jury award was shared by art director Wang Tou and cinematographer Jinjing Zhu for their collaboration in “Mr. No Problem”, a joint Chinese-French production by director Feng Mei.

“Online Shopping” by Iranian filmmaker Qasideh Golmakani won the best short film award.

“Babai” by Mozaffar Hosseinkhani won the Muhammad Al-Ameen Award, which is presented to films promoting Islamic ethics and morality.

COI director Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi-Amiri, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad-Javad Zarif and actor Reza Kianian were called to the stage to present the award.

Kianian called Zarif a “national hero who has maintained Iranian’s national pride” and asked him to present the award.

The best film award in the Eastern Vista, which screens movies from Asian filmmakers, went to “Returnee” by Kazakh director Sabit Kurmanbekov.

Sharbanoo Sadat from Afghanistan was named best director for her movie “Wolf and Sheep” in this section.

“Not Yet” by Iranian director Aryan Vazir-Daftari was picked as best short.

In the Inter-Religion section, “Knife in the Clear Water”, Chinese director Wang Xuebo’s debut that focuses on Uighurs and their separatist movement, won the best film award.

/ Tehran times /