Persian Film Festival Australia 2025 Reveals Daring Program
The Persian Film Festival Australia 2025 returns this April and May to offer a unique cinematic experience that brings together the best of Persian cinema from the past year, presenting stories that transcend borders and connect people across the globe.
Now in its 11th edition, the festival continues to be a key platform for Persian filmmakers to share their narratives and express their creativity, engaging Australian audiences with the richness and diversity of Persian-speaking cultures.
Running from 24 April to 11 May, the festival will travel across Sydney, Melbourne, and Armidale, with each city offering a showcase of feature, short, and documentary films. The 2025 edition promises to feature fearless filmmakers who defy the odds to bring their daring stories to the screen, offering audiences a raw glimpse into the boldest, most groundbreaking works.
This year's program kicks off with a stellar opening night featuring In the Shadow of Cypress, an Oscar-winning animated short by Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi and, Tatami, a compelling drama directed by Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv. These films perfectly represent the festival’s ethos, presenting powerful and bold narratives that signify freedom of expression and the shared universal human experiences. Tatami, with its gripping portrayal of a judo athlete caught between national loyalties and personal integrity, and In the Shadow of Cypress, with its deep exploration of trauma and healing, set the tone for the exciting and thought-provoking program ahead.
What sets this year’s festival apart is its bold selection of films. These are works created by filmmakers who have defied personal and professional peril to share stories that challenge the status quo, offering Australian audiences an exclusive opportunity to experience cinema that pushes past the boundaries of censorship.
This is a testament to the power of cinema as a vehicle for freedom of expression, highlighting the importance of artistic platforms that allow for open dialogue and exchange. Amin Palangi, the festival director, emphasises the enduring power of Persian cinema: “Persian cinema is a dynamic, powerful force that transcends boundaries. This characteristic has not emerged only recently; it has been evident in the contemporary wave of Persian cinema over the past 50 years.”
He adds, “In this year’s program, we are thrilled to bring together a range of filmmakers whose work pushes the envelope of storytelling. We’re excited to bring these stories to Australian audiences and continue our mission of bridging cultures through cinema.”
The festival program also includes panel discussions, Q&A’s with filmmakers and will conclude with Closing Nights and Awards Ceremony in Sydney and Melbourne. The evening will feature the presentation of the Golden Gazelle Awards, recognizing excellence in feature and short films.
Tickets for the Persian Film Festival Australia 2025 are on sale now. For more information and the full program of events, go to www.persianfilmfestival.com