The Cinema and Audiovisual Affairs Organization of Iran (known as the Iranian Cinema Organization) is a specialized body affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The President of the Organization serves as one of the Deputy Ministers of Culture and is appointed by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The Organization is responsible for policy-making, planning, supervision, and development in the fields of cinema, audiovisual works, and the motion-picture industry in the country. It operates with the aim of supporting national film production, organizing the value chain from production to exhibition, upgrading technical and professional infrastructures, and expanding the regional and international presence of Iranian cinema.

The structure of the Iranian Cinema Organization is based on three deputies and several directorates general under the President of the Organization.
The Deputy for Evaluation and Supervision of Cinema Affairs, which is responsible for drafting and implementing regulations related to the issuance of production and exhibition licenses, licensing cinema-related institutions, evaluating the content of cinematic works, organizing theatrical release, and engaging with professional guilds and associations in the film sector. This deputy plays a key role in ensuring the legal and professional framework governing cinema activities in the country.

The Deputy for Cinema Technology and Studies, whose mandate is to enhance technical infrastructures, promote knowledge and research in the field of cinema, support technological innovation, and strengthen educational and professional capacities. This deputy emphasizes the linkage between cinema and new technologies and is active in foresight and future-oriented planning for the motion-picture industry.

The Deputy for Management Development and Resources, which is in charge of human resources management, financial and budget planning, administrative and logistical affairs, and coordination of activities across the provinces. It provides the operational backbone and institutional stability of the Organization.

Alongside these deputies, the Directorate General for International Affairs and Festivals plays a central role in the external relations of Iranian cinema. It is responsible for introducing and promoting Iranian cinema internationally, expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries, and negotiating and concluding memoranda of understanding and co-production agreements. It also serves as the official representative of Iranian cinema in its dealings with foreign institutions, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural and film diplomacy.

Other units within the Organization include the Directorate General for Public Relations and the Directorate General for Legal Affairs and Provincial Affairs.

Finally, the Iranian Cinema Organization oversees a number of specialized affiliated institutions. These include the National Film Archive of Iran, which is responsible for archiving, documenting, and safeguarding the cinematic heritage of the country; the Farabi Cinema Foundation (FCF), as the main governmental body supporting the production and distribution of feature films; the Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Film Center (DEFC), which provides support in the fields of documentary, animation, and art cinema; the Iranian Youth Cinema Society (IYCS), which, through a wide network across the country, is engaged in training, talent discovery, and short film production; the Cinemashahr Institute, which serves as the main specialized body for developing, equipping, renovating, and modernizing cinema infrastructure and managing national ticketing and exhibition systems; the Cinema Museum of Iran, which is dedicated to preserving, researching, and showcasing the history and heritage of Iranian cinema. These institutions, as the executive and specialized arms of the Organization, play a crucial role in the balanced and sustainable development of Iranian cinema.