Arrest of Iran Filmmakers

THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN REGARDING THE ARREST OF IRANIAN FILMMAKERS

TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival® today expressed its deep concern in response to the recent arrest of six Iranian filmmakers by the Iranian authorities on charges of espionage. 

The six filmmakers are Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Katayoun Shahabi, Hadi Afarideh, Nasser Saffarian, Shahnama Bazdar and Mohsen Shahrnazdar. The detainees have been accused of collaborating with the BBC network, forbidden in Iran, and of portraying a negative image of the country in their films.

Mr. Mojtaba Mirtahmasb is the co-director of banned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s latest film THIS IS NOT A FILM, which was most recently screened as part of the 36th Toronto International Film Festival.

We are extremely concerned by the arrest of these six filmmakers, whose work should be seen and their voices heard.  Iran’s filmmakers, including Mirtahmasb, Shahabi, Afarideh, Saffarian, Bazdar, Shahnazdar and Jafar Panahi, have long been celebrated as representatives of a rich and vibrant culture. Their films have been shown at festivals all over the world, including here in Toronto. Filmmakers must be allowed to express themselves through their films, without fear of reprisal.