“The Skater” scoops awards at Isfahan intl. film festival

TEHRAN – (Iranart) “The Skater” by Fereydun Najafi won six awards in several categories including best film at the 30th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan on Thursday.

“The Skater” tells the story of a boy from Kuhrang who faces problems on his way to take a little ibex to a tribal ritual in a snowy, remote region in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari Province.

The film that was screened in the international and national competition sections also won the Golden Butterfly for best director.

Amir-Reza Faramrzi was crowned best actor for the portrayal of the boy in “The Skater” in the international section. He also won the best actor award in the national section. 

In the national section, the film also received several awards including the awards for best film and best director. 

Winners of other sections were also honored at the ceremony.

The Golden Butterfly for best director of an animated film was presented to “Chieri and Cherry” by Makoto Nakamura from Japan, while “Long Way North” by Remi Chaye from France was named best animated film.

Celeste Holsheimer, actress of “The Day My Father Became a Bush” directed by Nicole van Kilsdonk from the Netherlands received the best actress award in the international section.

The award for best screenwriter was presented to Jytte-Merle Böhrnsen and Natja Brunckhorst for their collaboration on “Mountain Miracle - An Unexpected Friendship” by German director Amelie Rennt.

“Are You a Volleyball?” by Mohammad Bakhshi was picked as best short film in the international section.

The winners were honored during a special ceremony attended by Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi-Amiri and a large number of cineastes and children.

The 30th International Film Festival for Children and Youth ran in the central Iranian city from June 30 to July 6.