Iran, Serbia Discuss Cinematic Ties

In a meeting between Head of Farabi Cinema Foundation Alireza Tabesh and Serbian Ambassador Dragan Todorovic, both sides highlighted the expansion of cinematic ties. Tabesh reviewed the historical ties between the Film Center Serbia and Farabi Cinema Foundation, IRNA reported.

He also mentioned the cooperation between both countries’ festivals, adding that Iran and Serbia need to expand their ties according to the signed agreement in 2019. Enumerating the problems in increasing the number of joint productions, he said, “Our serious will is to facilitate the co-production process with other countries. This process has been established in the Farabi Cinema Foundation over the past years.”

He expressed hope that the Iran-Serbia joint project will be implemented soon. The Serbian envoy talked about the agreement signed between the two centers in 2019, highlighting cultural cooperation, particularly in the field of cinema.

Serbia is ready to facilitate the production of joint cinematic works with Iran, the Serbian official added. The Serbian ambassador also said that Iran is a friendly country to Serbia, adding that the presence of Serbia’s National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic as a high-ranking official and representative of the country at the inauguration of the newly-elected President of Iran is a sign of Serbia’s interest in expanding ties.

In 2019, Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation and Film Center Serbia signed an agreement to expand cooperation in cinematic fields. The agreement was signed by the two sides on the sidelines of the 69th Berlin Film Festival film market, with an aim to develop cultural diplomacy and improve cinematic ties between Iranian and Serbian cinema community.

Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to facilitate and support the mechanism of joint film production by utilizing governmental relations, supporting the distribution of co-produced films across the world, holding joint meetings between filmmakers, producers and other representatives of Iranian and Serbian cinema industry, and the creation of a funding mechanism to support up-and-coming filmmakers, young talents and female directors.

The agreement also includes efforts on both sides for the screening of one another’s films in their respective countries, organizing film weeks, as well as supporting the distribution and marketing of films across the world. - Iran Daily