Iranian Film Festival 2013

Overview

Filmmaking is difficult enough, without officials breathing down your neck, monitoring every scene according to the government's agenda. In Iran, no director can start work before the censors have run their eyes over the script, removed whatever they disapprove of, and given it the green light. Despite such restrictions, however, the Iranian film industry continues to grow. In fact, last year's A Separation won the nation its first ever Oscar, for Best Foreign Language film.

The Australian Iranian Film Festival is now in its third year. Starting in Brisbane on October 10, it will travel to Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide, before finishing up in Melbourne.

Opening night will feature Snow on Pines, the directorial debut from actor-turned-director and A Separation star Peyman Moadi. Other highlights include The Wedlock from Rouhollah Hejazi, director of the provocative The Private Life of Mr and Mrs M; the Australian Premiere of Mohsen Makhmalbaf's The Gardener; and indie film Parviz, directed by Majid Barzegar.