Iran, Malaysia Finalising Cooperation In Filmmaking -- Ambassador

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Iran are finalising a cooperation agreement in filmmaking, aiming to facilitate joint productions and strengthen cinematic ties, said Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi.

He said relevant cinema organisations in both countries are currently drafting and finalising the terms of the agreement in filmmaking.

Expressing optimism, he noted that the agreement would pave the way for the production and screening of joint films between Malaysia and Iran.

“After the  document signing, the legal and executive basis for the development of joint cinema cooperation between Iran and Malaysia will be smoother.

“Iranian animation cinema is also considered one of the suitable fields for joint cooperation due to its technical experience and presence in global markets,” he said at the launch of 2025 Iranian Film Festival Malaysia, here, on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Director-General of Media and Cyberspace Cooperation, Mahdi Molaei Arani, when met at the event, invited Malaysian film industry practitioners to collaborate with their Iranian counterparts in organising a Malaysian Film Festival in Tehran.

“We are ready to host Malaysian films (festival) in Iran,” he said. 

Mahdi is heading a delegation of six representatives from Iranian cinema industry, comprising a film director and several cinema organisation heads, on their visit to Malaysia to meet various parties including the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas). 

Elaborating on his visit, Mahdi said the aim is to expand media cooperation between Iran and Malaysia, as both countries share common cultural ties.

In his opinion, some of the mutual topics that the Iranian and Malaysian film industries can collaborate on include issues related to Palestine, the family institution, and moral values.

The Iranian Film Festival in Malaysia, which enters its third edition this year, will be held from Feb 20 to 23 at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Kuala Lumpur (Mid Valley and MyTown), Penang (Gurney Plaza), and Johor Bahru (Paradigm Mall). 

A total of five movies of various genres, including an animated film titled ‘Dolphin Boy’, will be screened for free to the public this time. Other films are family drama ‘In The Arms of the Tree’; ‘Fragrant’ – a narrative about identity and responsibilities; ‘Goodbye Shirazi Girl’ (romance); and ‘Captain’ – a story about dreams and resilience amid challenges.

Information on the festival can be obtained from the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia’s Facebook page, the Iranian Cultural Centre’s Facebook page, the GSC website, and GSC’s social media platforms.

The Iranian Film Festival is organised by the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Iran in Kuala Lumpur, with GSC International Screens and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) as partners.

-- BERNAMA