The 38th International Film Festival for Children and Youth of Isfahan opened with a ceremony honoring children and adolescents who lost their lives.
Festival Secretary Hamed Jafari, Isfahan Mayor Ali Qassemzadeh, city council members, and municipal officials attended the opening ceremony.
The program began at Isfahan’s Martyrs’ Cemetery. Participants paid tribute to child and adolescent martyrs from the city and victims of recent conflicts.
Jafari said he hoped the festival would bring hope and motivation to younger generations. He also praised those who helped organize the event. He said he wished the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Iran could have witnessed the festival’s opening.
Meanwhile, Qassemzadeh said this year’s event carried a different atmosphere following the deaths of children at Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab. He said the tragedy had naturally affected the festival. However, he stressed that Isfahan would continue its cultural and artistic activities.
The mayor said difficult circumstances should not prevent children from pursuing their dreams. He also highlighted their talents and creative ambitions.
Qassemzadeh expressed hope that the festival would strengthen Isfahan’s position as an international center for children’s culture and art. He added that the event could help introduce the creativity and aspirations of Iranian children to audiences worldwide.
The mayor also described this edition as the first international festival in Isfahan following the recent U.S.-Iran conflict. He said organizers had worked to expand its international profile.
As part of the city’s child-friendly development plans, organizers have distributed cinemas across different districts. The move aims to make screenings more accessible to children and families.
The festival also seeks to offer children more than film screenings. Organizers want young participants to engage directly with cultural and artistic activities.
During the ceremony, officials also honored the families of several martyrs, including Seyyed Mostafa Tabatabai, Jafar Aqapour, Mehdi Nasr Esfahani, Moein Heydari, and Mehdi Bokaei.
The 38th International Film Festival for Children and Youth will continue in Isfahan through October 8. The Farabi Cinema Foundation and Isfahan Municipality are organizing the event.