Iranian Cinema Organization President Raed Faridzadeh visited the Bam Niayesh Cineplex on the afternoon of Friday, April 3, 2026, and thanked movie theater employees for their work during the Nowruz holidays and the recent war.
According to the Public Relations Department of the Iranian Cinema Organization, Faridzadeh expressed his appreciation to all movie theater operators who remained alongside the public during this period.
“We have always seen that whenever Iranian society faces a crisis, the film community stands by the people,” he said.
Noting that movie theaters have remained active since March 18, 2026, and, as during the 12-day war, have provided a safe environment for moviegoers, Faridzadeh said:
“A total of 145 movie theaters are currently operating across Iran. Four new films have been released, including two about the 12-day war and two on other subjects. Films that were already in theaters have also continued their screenings and, as far as I know, have been well received.”
He added that the continued operation of movie theaters and the public’s presence in screening halls demonstrated that, despite the brutal attack on Iran by the United States and Israel and the hardships facing the country, life continues.
“This shows that our enemies failed to understand the Iranian people,” he said.
Faridzadeh also thanked movie theater employees across the country.
“I am grateful to all theater managers, producers and distributors of the films currently being screened, and the artists who have stood alongside the public in recent days and kept movie theater screens lit,” he said. “I also thank my colleagues at the Cinemashahr Institute, who have provided strong round-the-clock support to movie theaters.”
He said members of the Iranian House of Cinema had also maintained a strong individual and collective presence during the war and had recently launched the Cinema Professionals’ Solidarity Campaign.
“This deserves appreciation. In addition to its symbolic significance, the film community’s support and solidarity is itself a valuable and admirable effort,” he said.
Referring to damage sustained by the building of the Documentary, Experimental and Animation Film Center and one of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society’s offices, Faridzadeh said a committee had been established at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to assess the affected locations.
“The committee will compile information on damaged sites, including filmmakers’ offices, as well as artists who have been affected, so that decisions can be made regarding compensation and assistance,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of visually documenting this period, Faridzadeh said the second phase of the “My Homeland Through My Lens” campaign was underway through the Iranian Youth Cinema Society.
He added that the Documentary, Experimental and Animation Film Center was also working with documentary filmmakers to produce documentaries and record footage of recent events.
“The events of these days can certainly provide valuable material for feature films as well, and we have plans to support the production of such works,” he said.
Referring to the mobile cinema program operated by the Iranian Youth Cinema Society, Faridzadeh said that, in addition to screenings and special programs at Tehran’s City Theater, the program had also begun operating at Homa Hotel on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for people affected by the war who were staying there.
The animated film Yooz was screened at the hotel and was well received, he added.
Masoud Najafi, director general of public relations at the Iranian Cinema Organization, also attended the visit. Faridzadeh toured the screening halls of the Bam Niayesh Cineplex, where the complex’s manager, Mojgan Zargar, briefed him on its activities.