News - Madakto Pictures

LAND OF THE DEAD DEER At International Festivals

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:44:09 +0000

LAND OF THE DEAD DEER Directed by Anahita Qarcheh, Soroush Javadzadeh and produced by Faramarz Ahmadi ,It had its world premiere at 38th Medina del Campo “SECIME” International Film Festival Spain 2025, and has been selected for 21st Grossmann Fantastic Film & Wine Festival Slovenian 2025 , 12th edition of Sharjah International Film Festival For Children & Youth UAE 2025, 12TH Luna de Cortos International Short Film Festival SPAIN 2025 , 25th Sopot Film Festival Poland 2025 , 14th Premio Carpine Visciano Italy 2025, 26th Real to Reel International Film Festival SUA 2025, 17th edition of the Festival Les Percéides Québec, Canada 2025, 30th OpenEyes Filmfest Germany 2025 also is nominated for the Best International Short Film award at Regina International Film Festival Canada 2025 Canadian Screen Award Qualifying in August 2025.

This short film is Story of A boy who hasn’t yet gone to school has a sphere that he uses to see his own dreamy world. One day, he sees a deer through it and follows it into an abandoned school. But he doesn’t know that it’s a graveyard of children’s dreams.

LAND OF THE DEAD DEER was introduced at 30th OpenEyes Filmfest Germany as the favorite film of Katja Vargas, one of the festival’s selection members.

Katja Vargas: “I’m impressed by its magical, realistic atmosphere. It’s told with suspense and sensitivity, and is also visually compelling.”

World Selles: Madakto Pictures (madactodistribution@gmail.com)

For more information, please visit:

http://www.sopotfilmfestival.pl/konkurs-short-2025/

https://medinafilmfestival.com/noticia/pleno-de-estrenos-absolutos-en-el-certamen-nacional-de-la-38-secime

https://openeyes-filmfest.de/filmscouts/

https://riffa.ca/winners/

https://www.grossmann.si/en/program/film-program/slaks-vicious-cat/short-films/land-of-the-dead-deer/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLKgIN9tMRR/?igsh=MWp5MXVieDhxZHY0eQ==

https://openeyes-filmfest.de/land-of-the-dead-deer/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLKKcwIKvAh/?img_index=10&igsh=MTIzZmJjOWdhdjNyMA==

Nominee 9TH Regina video

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Punishment (To Be) at two prestigious international festivals

admin — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:55:11 +0000

Punishment, directed by Pouya Mofid, has been selected for the kids section at 24th BAFTA Qualifying DokuFest in Kosovo and was nominated for the Best Screenplay award for Mehdi Asghari Azghadi at the 13th Ningbo Festival in China.

The DokuFest International Documentary and Short Film Festival is approved by the European Film Academy and the BAFTA Awards and will be held from August 1 to 9,2025 and the Ningbo Festival is approved by the Short Film Conference (SFC) and will be held from September 19 to 21-2025

World Selles: Madakto Pictures (madactodistribution@gmail.com)

For more information, please visit:

https://cam.dokufest.com/en/festival/2025/film/punishment

https://www.nbfestival.com/Content/2719673.html

The post Punishment (To Be) at two prestigious international festivals appeared first on Madakto Pictures.

For Love won the Best Director award at 23th Ischia film festival italy 2025

admin — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 17:31:19 +0000

The feature film For Love, directed by Amirhossein Saghafi , won the Best Director award at its world premiere at the 23rd Ischia International Film Festival in Italy.

The event was held from July 27 to 29 on the historic island of Ischia in southern Italy. At the closing ceremony, the film “For Love” directed by Amirhossein Saghafi won the Best Director award out of seven international feature films from Iran, Japan, England, Portugal, Kazakhstan, and Italy.

Roshanak Gerami Iranian actress plays the main role in this movie, and Mohammad Daraei is Cinematographer of this Feature film.

World Selles: Madakto Pictures (madactodistribution@gmail.com)

For more information, please visit:

https://www.taxidrivers.it/456902/festival-di-cinema/ischia-film-festival/ischia-film-festival-2025-unedizione-tra-grandi-ospiti-nuovi-premi-e-sguardo-al-futuro.html

https://dazebaonews.it/cultura/cinema-teatro/176452-ischia-film-festival-2025-giurie-lungometraggi-in-concorso.html

https://www.ischiafilmfestival.it/index.php/it/press/latest-news/1114-ischia-film-festival-il-racconto-della-settima-giornata-marco-giallini-tra-gli-ospiti

https://www.cinemaitaliano.info/news/86341/ischia-film-festival-23-i-vincitori.html

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For Rana was screened at 42th Munich Film Festival Germany

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:39:26 +0000

The feature Debut film For Rana, directed by Iman Yazdi, was invited to the 42nd Munich Film Festival in Germany after its world premiere at the 29th Busan Film Festival in South Korea and the 55th International Film Festival of India ” GOA”

For Rana was screened in the International Independents section at the Munich Film Festival on July 1 and 5, 2025.

Director: Iman YAZDI

Producer: Morteza SHAYSTEH

Cast: Hamed BEHDAD , Pantea PANAHIHA

Screenplay: Hossein MAHKAM

Cinematography: Roozbeh RAYGA

Production Design: SAMAN DELSHAD

Editor: SAMANEH SEZAVAR

World Selles: Madakto Pictures

Link: https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/program/films/film/?id=8023&f=120

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For Rana by Iman Yazdi was a candidate for the UNESCO Gandhi Medal at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI)

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:38:30 +0000

The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has officially announced the nominees for the esteemed ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2024. This distinguished global award, presented in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), Paris, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), honors films that resonate with the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.

It celebrates cinematic works that embody values of non-violence, tolerance, and social harmony, fostering intercultural dialogue and promoting peace. Here is the list of nominee films selected for the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2024:

Crossing
For Rana
Lesson Learned (Fekete Pont)
Meeting With Pol Pot (Rendez-Vous avec Pol Pot)
Satu – Year of the Rabbit
Transamazonia
Unsinkable (Synkefri)
Aamar Boss
Juiphool
Srikanth

Launched at the 46th IFFI, this prestigious medal not only upholds high artistic and cinematic standards but also encourages thoughtful reflection on society’s most pressing issues. Designed to deepen the understanding of humanity’s shared values, the award harnesses the transformative power of cinema to inspire ethical awareness and dialogue.

The global copyright of “For Rana” for sale and presentation in festivals is in the possession of Madakto Pictures company owned by Mohammad Towrivarian.

This year, ten remarkable films have been shortlisted for the award, each representing different regions, cultures, and genres, yet united by their commitment to Gandhian principles. A distinguished jury, which includes prominent figures such as Isabelle Danel (Honorary President of FIPRESCI – International Federation of Film Critics), Serge Michel (Vice President of CICT-ICFT), Maria Cristina Iglesias (former head of UNESCO’s Cultural Sector Programme), Dr. Ahmed Bedjaoui (Artistic Director of the Algiers International Film Festival), and Xueyan Hun (Platform for Creativity and Innovation, CICT-ICFT youth branch), will evaluate these films based on their ethical depth, artistic excellence, and capacity to engage and educate audiences, particularly youth.

The Nominees for the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal 2024 are:

Crossing

Swedish director Levan Akin, renowned for And Then We Danced (2019), presents a poignant drama exploring Istanbul’s transgender community. The film navigates themes of class, gender, and sexuality through the journey of Lia, a retired teacher, in search of her niece Tekla. With an emphasis on kinship and transformation, the film won the Teddy Jury Award at the Berlin International Film Festival 2024.

For Rana

Iranian filmmaker Iman Yazdi’s debut film, which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival 2024, follows the heartbreaking story of a couple struggling to secure a heart transplant for their daughter, raising profound questions of love, loss, and the ethics of medical choices.

Lesson Learned (Fekete Pont)

A powerful debut by Hungarian director Bálint Szimler, Lesson Learned critiques Hungary’s educational crisis through the eyes of a troubled child. Praised for its sharp social commentary, the film received accolades at the Locarno International Film Festival, 2024.

Meeting With Pol Pot (Rendez-Vous avec Pol Pot)

A reflective drama by Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, inspired by Elizabeth Becker’s “When the War Was Over.” The film follows three French journalists confronting the horrors of Pol Pot’s regime in 1978 Cambodia. It was screened at Cannes 2024 and received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and historical accuracy.

Satu – Year of the Rabbit

Award-winning debut by Joshua Trigg from the Raindance Film Festival 2024, set in Laos. This poignant story of an abandoned child searching for his mother explores themes of survival, friendship, and resilience.

Transamazonia

South African filmmaker Pia Marais brings to life an atmospheric drama set in the Brazilian Amazon. The film follows a healer fighting to protect her indigenous community from illegal loggers, showcasing the intersection of environmental and social justice. It was screened at the Locarno and Toronto Film Festivals 2024.

Unsinkable (Synkefri)

A thrilling Danish film by Christian Andersen, based on the real-life 1981 RF2 tragedy. Unsinkable follows Henrik’s investigation into his father’s involvement in the disaster, offering a gripping exploration of grief, guilt, and family dynamics.

Aamar Boss

A heartwarming Bengali film by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee, which marks the return of legendary actress Rakhee Gulzar after 20 years. This film tells the touching story of a mother and son facing financial hardship and exploring the complexities of family and ambition.

Juiphool

Assamese filmmaker and actor Jadumoni Dutta’s National Award-winning feature depicts the bond between two mothers amid the violent border conflicts in northeastern India. The film explores the personal and social dimensions of conflict, compassion, and motherhood.

Srikanth

Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, this biographical drama stars Rajkummar Rao and Alaya F. It follows the inspiring true story of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired entrepreneur who defied all odds to attend MIT and become a success in the business world.

About ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal

Launched during the 46th IFFI, the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal honours films that not only hold high artistic and cinematic standards but also encourage ethical reflection on society’s most pressing issues. The award was created to foster a deeper understanding of humanity’s shared values through the transformative power of cinema.

The ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal is more than just an award; it is a celebration of the power of film to inspire, educate, and unite. The winner of the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal will be announced at the closing ceremony of IFFI 2024 in Goa, where the award recipient will be honored with a certificate and the iconic Gandhi Medal.

For more information, please visit https://iffigoa.org/

International sales: Madakto Pictures (madactodistribution@gmail.com)

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Montage Review wrote a review about For Rana

admin — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 07:13:30 +0000

For Rana, directed by Iman Yazdi, is a film that centers on a family struggling with the urgent need for a heart transplant for their daughter. Through this heartbreaking story, the director skillfully explores the myriad of peripheral issues that arise in the wake of such a crisis, shedding light on the emotional and social dimensions surrounding a dire health condition.

In the narrative, the father (played by Hamed Behad) and mother (Pantea Panahiha) are present, and although the father is not the biological parent of the daughter, the main character loves and cares for her as if she were his own. His occupation revolves around extreme sports, particularly showcasing his motorcycle skills in a manner that captivates audiences and connects him with a circus-like ensemble. While this profession may not be financially rewarding, it is one in which he excels and finds joy.

However, the situation takes a turn for the worse when the daughter’s condition is suggested to deteriorate due to the stress of accompanying the protagonist on his practice routes.

The doctors deliver the heart-wrenching news to the parents: their daughter’s condition is critical and she urgently needs a heart transplant. The only potential donor is an elderly man on life support, setting off a chain of troubling events. When the parents approach a woman who appears to be the man’s partner (the antagonist played by Hediyeh Bazvand), pleading for consent to use his heart to save their daughter, she reacts with hysterical anger. Initially, it seems she is fiercely protective of the old man, but it soon becomes clear that her outburst is driven by complex legal entanglements and financial issues associated with him.

As tensions escalate, the man’s son arrives on the scene (Payam Ahmadinia). Surprisingly, he agrees to allow the transplant, but only in exchange for a staggering 1.5 million toman—an amount the desperate parents cry is unattainable, even if they sold everything they owned.

However, the journey unfolds not solely through solicitation, but through the generous and voluntary contributions of friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and even those from whom one has been estranged. This film beautifully illustrates the profound generosity of the broader community in this culture, which stands as its pinnacle.

In times of tragedy, this community comes together to uplift and support one another.

The director, however, is not here to deliver a fairy tale story. He adopts a realist approach, illuminating how urgent financial crises can fracture family bonds. As the husband and wife face their struggles, tensions escalate to the point where they hurl hurtful words at one another—expressions of anger that even the most sincere apologies and regrets can hardly mend. These extreme statements, laden with deep-seated accusations, erupt with a raw intensity born of profound helplessness.

What makes the film particularly powerful is its portrayal of a universal issue that transcends specific political or religious contexts. It illustrates how crises can simultaneously unite and divide individuals, highlighting the complexity of human relationships in the face of adversity.

The film made its world premiere ‘in competition’ at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. We wish it every success, as it is a profoundly moving work.

The director attended the post-screening Q&A and emphasized the importance of family that extends beyond blood ties, as revealed in the ending, which we will not spoil. Many audience members expressed their respect and intrigue as countless questions for the filmmaker poured in until the session concluded.

While the film featured an outstanding cast, Panahiha infused her role with such raw desperation that her cries and pleas evoked abject sorrow, making it impossible not to shed tears in response to her overwhelming anguish.

(Video below: In Farsi with Korean translation, director Iman Yazdi discusses the significance of the protagonists’ profession within the narrative. While it initially triggers the character’s health issue, it ultimately becomes an avenue for sacrifice. Moreover, he discusses the relationships which transcend blood ties… A beautifully articulated sentiment!)

Director Iman YAZDI
Producer Morteza SHAYSTEH
Cast Hamed BEHDAD
Pantea PANAHIHA
Screenplay Hossein MAHKAM
Cinematography Roozbeh RAYGA
Production Design SAMAN DELSHAD
Editor SAMANEH SEZAVAR

World Selles: Madakto Pictures

World Premiere of Iman Yazdi’s “For Rana” – Busan International Film Festival 2024 – Montage Review

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COLD SIGH IN 48TH Sao Paulo IFF

admin — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:52:12 +0000

Cold Sigh by Nahid Sediq, will be screened in the Brazilian premiere at the 48th Sao Paulo Festival.

The feature film COLD SIGH, directed by Nahid Sediq, was selected for the international perspective section of the 48th Sao Paulo IFF Brazil.

This film was screened at the international premiere in February 2024 at the 39th Santa Barbara Film Festival in the United States, then at the 46th Moscow Film Festival, it won the Best Director Award and the Audience Choice Award, after that won the Best Cinematography Award ath 22th Ischia film festival in Italy, now in October, it is present in the competition section of the 33rd Heartland Festival in Indianapolis in USA.

The 48th Sao Paulo film Festival will be held from October 17 to 30. Madakto Pictures, an independent company owned by Mohammad Towrivarian , is responsible for the international distribution and global sales of this film.

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A circus motorcyclist in Iran is desperate to find a new heart for his ailing daughter

admin — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:59:34 +0000

By Wendy Ide form .screendaily

‘For Rana’: Busan Review

Aref (Hamed Behdad), a stunt motorcyclist in an Iranian circus, and his wife (Pantea Panahiha), who works in an industrial laundry, are not wealthy. But they have enough to get by and to create a loving home for their seven-year-old daughter Rana (Tasnif Hosseni). Then the little girl’s heart disease suddenly deteriorates, and the parents are told that she needs a transplant as a matter of urgency – and the unscrupulous relatives of a potential donor prey on their desperation. The feature debut from Iman Yazdi, For Rana is a bluntly-plotted melodrama that clearly telegraphs its tragic climax within the opening 10 minutes. It is elevated, however, by the quality of the performances, and the evocatively down-at-heel circus backdrop.

Yazdi cut his teeth as a short film director – his previous work includes Homeless (2014), First Exit (2012), and After The Game (2011) – and he also directed the Persian language TV series Soda in 2022. For Rana is a polished production, with Roozbeh Rayga’s layered cinematography a particular stand out. The picture could generate interest on the festival circuit, where audiences may recognise Panahiha and Behdad from, respectively, the Cannes break-out Hit The Road and the Rotterdam prize-winner The Old Bachelor. However, the slightly heavy-handed storytelling may limit the film’s potential appeal.

The director’s strong visual sense is evident from the outset, with an opening that introduces us to Aref at his place of work: a reinforced metal sphere in the middle of a circus ring. While the audience ecstatically chants his name, Araf pulls on his helmet and straddles his neon-lit motorbike, riding it in a dizzying display of looping and circling inside the structure. It looks terrific, but it also serves as a neat visual metaphor for the cage of debt in which so many of the characters find themselves. No matter how hard or fast Aref rides, he can never quite escape.

Aref’s financial situation is not great, but his problems pale into insignificance next to those of his friend and work colleague Soroush (Amin Asadi), whose father is in prison for debts. Soroush’s desperation is such that his judgement and advice are clouded by self-interest when he urges Aref to take a sponsorship deal brokered by the circus’s corrupt owner (he stands to make a cut of the profits). At first, Aref roundly rejects the deal but, once the seriousness of his daughter’s illness becomes clear, he finds that he is no longer in a position to take a moral stance.

The medical professionals are sympathetic to the family’s plight but stress that Rana is not at the top of the transplant list. Consequently, the onus of responsibility to locate and negotiate a suitable donor falls on Aref and his wife. But the only candidate is an elderly man in a coma, whose new wife and adult son are competing to wring as much cash as possible from the man’s estate before the life support is turned off.

The ticking clock of Rana’s medical emergency is mirrored in the countdown to Aref’s next motorcycle stunt – he is planning an attempt at a risky record-breaking jump. Meanwhile, a very pointed scene shows a pair of insurance agents agreeing to offer one-off cover for the event. “Let’s hope you never have to use it,” comments Soroush once the insurance policy has been finalised, pretty much sealing the fates of all involved in the story.

Production company: Hedayet Film

International sales: Madakto Pictures (madactodistribution@gmail.com)

Producer: Morteza Shaysteh

Screenplay: Hossein Mahkam

Cinematography: Roozbeh Rayga

Production design: Saman Delshad

Editing: Samaneh Sezavar

Music: Arman Mousapoor

Main cast: Hamed Behdad, Pantea Panahiha, Nader Fallah, Tasnif Hosseni, Amin Asadi

https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/for-rana-busan-review/5197424.article

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Mohammad Towrivarian at opening ceremony of Busan film festival 2024

admin — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:43:52 +0000

Mohammad Towrivarian , the owner of Madakto Pictures, appeared as a representative of the movie For Rana at the opening ceremony of 29th Busan International film festival 2024.

The feature movie For Rana by Iman Yazdi from Iran will compete in its world premiere on October 7 in the new currents section of 29th Busan International film festival 2024.

Hamed BEHDAD and Pantea PANAHIHA well-known Iranian actors are acting In this Family feature film .

This Iranian feature film will be screened in three different screenings for the first time at 29th Busan International Film Festival.

10-07-2024 20:00 Busan Cinema Center Cinema 2
10-08-2024 12:00 CGV Centum City 3
10-09-2024 19:30 LOTTE CINEMA Centum City 5

Mohammad Towrivarian the owner of Madakto Pictures as a worldwide distributor and seller will also be present at the Busan Film Market on 5/6/7/8 October to sell this film.

29th BUSAN International Film Festival | 2-11 October, 2024 (biff.kr)

Madakto Pictures In YouTube

This channel belongs to Madakto Pictures international film production and distribution company.

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Madakto Pictures goes to 33rd Heartland International Film Festival with Cold Sigh

admin — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 09:18:47 +0000

The Iranian feature film Cold Sigh by Nahid Azizi Sedigh has been selected for competition at 33rd Heartland International Film Festival USA 2024.

Our screen time:

The global copyright of this film for sale and presentation in festivals is in the possession of Madakto Pictures company owned by Mohammad Towrivarian.

Screenwriter and director: Nahid Azizi Sedigh

Cast: Ali Baghri, Iman Sedigh

Director of Photography: Masud Amini Tirani

Sound design: Hossein Mahdavi

Music: Foad Ghahrman

Owner and co producer: Ahmad Bahrami

Distributor : Madakto Pictures

Heartland Film

https://tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org

https://heartlandfilm.prowly.com

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