Iranian cinema icon Majid Majidi to Malaysia, share film knowledge at IFF 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Famous Iranian film director Majid Majidi will be coming to Malaysia in conjunction with the 4th Iranian Film Festival (IFF) in February.
The Cultural Counsellor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Malaysia (ICCM), Habibreza Arzani said Majidi was expected to hold a sharing session at the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
It is understood that the session will be held throughout the IFF 2026 period, which is from February 6 to 8.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Malaysian lecturers, students and filmmakers to learn from one of the most influential directors on a global level,” he said during a press conference here, Tuesday.
He added that universal communication in cinema is important in connecting cultures between countries.
Former Finas Chairman, Datuk Kamil Othman, who was also present during the press conference, said that with Majidi’s presence, it is hoped that local filmmakers can draw inspiration from creative works that are simple and humane.
Kamil also praised several famous Iranian film directors such as Asghar Farhadi and Abbas Kiarostami, who were said to have succeeded in bridging the gap between local culture and universal human themes.
At the same time, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Mohamad Razeef Shah, believes that the Iranian animated film ‘ Dreamland ‘ directed by Mohsen Enayati symbolizes progress in the film industry.
According to him, the success of films produced in Iran should be used as a scientific discourse and joint study between local universities and filmmakers in Iran.
For the record, Majidi’s Children of Heaven was the first film to be nominated for an Oscar in 1999 in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Apart from that, he also produced several famous films such as The Color of God (2000), The Song of Sparrow (2009), Muhammad: The Messenger of God (2016) and Sun Children (2021).
The 4th IFF will screen six films from Iran at several Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC).
In Kuala Lumpur, screenings will be held at GSC Mid Valley Megamall and Mytown, while audiences in Kota Kinabalu and Johor Bahru can watch it at Suria Sabah and Paradigm Mall.
Among the films screened were The West Sky, Ahmed , Tear of the Reedbed, Dreamland , Guardian of the Field and The Weeping Willow .
ICCM as the organizer also announced that the screening of this film is free for the public and tickets can be redeemed on a first-come, first-served basis starting one hour before the screening.
-Agency
