Abbas Rafei received the Best Director award at the 19th Universal Festival in America for directing the feature film 'Dream of Liberation.' This festival, held from September 23, 2026, in Kansas, is considered one of the most important global cinematic events. Pariush Javidy was also nominated for Best Actress for her performance in this film, and these two successes once again showcased the capabilities of Iranian cinema on the international stage.
'Dream of Liberation' and Its Social Message
The film 'Dream of Liberation,' like Abbas Rafei's previous works, focuses on social issues and the challenges faced by women. It tells the story of women's struggles for self-defense and the pursuit of justice, effectively addressing the social harms that women encounter. Given its sensitive and timely topics, this film has managed to secure a special place in international festivals.
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Abbas Rafei's Track Record of Success
Abbas Rafei is an experienced director and writer with works such as 'The Secret of Mina,' 'A Butterfly in the Wind,' 'Kimia and Soil,' 'The Season of Forgetting Fariba,' 'Beht,' 'Justifiable Absence,' 'For an Ordinary Life,' and 'Another Birth.' The film 'The Season of Forgetting Fariba' also won the Best Film award at this festival in 2015, and Sareh Bayat received the Best Actress award for her performance in that film. These successes demonstrate Rafei's ability to present human and social stories.
The Universal Festival reviews over three thousand works from more than 130 countries annually and selects its winners from among them. The presence of the film 'Dream of Liberation' and its successes at such a festival reflect the efforts of Iranian artists to highlight the challenges of their society on an international level.
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