IIFMA (The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association)
Calls on the film industry to amplify the voice of the arrested filmmakers


iifma

The IIFMA issued a statement in which independent filmmakers express deep concern over the ongoing crisis and the escalating repression by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (Pasdaran) and Islamic Republic authorities against protesters.

The Association reported tousands of deaths, the use of military-grade weapons against civilians in the streets, and a total internet blackout that makes communication within Iran—and naturally with the outside world—extremely difficult. This communications blackout makes the news that manages to filter out from Iranian territory alarming.

For this reason, the Association urges not only artists and celebrities but the entire world to call on embassies to open their internet access in Tehran, allowing neighbours of embassy buildings to connect with the outside world. (News excerpts from Cineuropa)



The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association calls on the film industry to amplify the voice of the filmmakers arrested during the recent uprising.

The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association is profoundly alarmed by the recent arrest of filmmakers Dawood Abbasi, Navid Zarehbin, and Ghazale Vakili, as well as the detention of musician Negin Khaksar, all of whom were arrested during the recent uprising in Iran.

We call upon the cinema industry to amplify their voices and the voices of countless others who are enduring oppression and brutality under a repressive regime.

We strongly urge the international community to exert pressure on the Iranian regime to immediately disclose the names of the 49,0877 who have been arrested during the recent uprising. We face the horrific possibility that detainees may be killed while in custody, only for their names to be misleadingly categorized among the victims of the protests. This deliberate distortion of information seeks to obscure the true magnitude of the regime's cruelty.

Arrested Artists:

Ghazal Shahi (actress)
Melika Malek Mohammadi (assistant director)
Nasrin Bagherzadeh (actress)
Ali Safari (Hossein Namvar) (Actor)
Mohsen Alaieepour (Cinamatographer)
Roozbeh Sajdi Hosseini (Assistant Director)

At least 20 artists and filmmakers have been murdered during the recent uprising in Iran in the month of January. Their names are as follows:

● Javad Ganji٫ Film Director
● Mehdi Salahshour٫ Sculptor
● Ahmad Abbasi, Actor and theatre producer
● Sanam Pourbabaei, Violinist
● Amirali Zarei, Musician and Art student
● Sahba Rashtian,Animator
● Pouya Faragardi,Violinist
● Shokoufeh Abdi, Photographer
● Shabnam Ferdosi, Puppet and Graphic Designer
● Zohre Shamaeizade, Script Supervisor and Voice Actor
● Melika Dastyab,Musician
● Sorena Golgoun, Musician
● Shahou Shirazi, Singer
● Yaser Modirrousta, Musician
● Foad Safayi, Musician
● Omid Norouzi, Artist
● Sima Mousavi(Film graduate)
● Hossei Matouri (comedian and blogger)
● Hossein Tehranchi( Musician)
● Reyhaneh Youseefi( Actress)
Anirhoseein Malek Shahi (Guirar Player)
(The list will be updated)