The film 'Land of Angels', directed by Babak Khajeh Pasha and produced by Manouchehr Mohammadi, has been selected as Iran's representative at the 99th Academy Awards. This selection was recently announced by the Farabi Cinema Foundation, and following the film's successes at international festivals, hopes for its brilliance at the 2027 Oscars have increased.
A Human Narrative from Gaza
'Land of Angels' is a joint production of the Image City Institute and the Soura Cinema Organization, specifically made with an international approach. The film depicts the story of the oppressed children of Gaza and aims to bring their voices to the world. This work has managed to win the Grand Prize for Best Film, Best Actress for Solaf Fawakhirji, and Best Cinematography for Alireza Barazandeh at the Kazan Festival. Additionally, at the 44th Fajr Film Festival, this film won 5 Crystal Simorghs and 8 Diplomas of Honor.
Read more: The presence of Sam Derakhshani and Ahmad Mehranfar at the opening of the 'Abii Playlist' show
The Composition of the Selection Committee and Its Importance
The committee selecting Iran's representative at the Oscars, whose members were introduced alongside the film, included experienced filmmakers. This committee consisted of Iraj Tahmasb, Mahmoud Kalari, Farhad Tavakol, Seyed Alireza Hosseini, and Mohammad Reza Tashakori. The composition of this committee reflects a serious attention to the necessity of active participation from the film community in selecting Iran's representative for the Oscars. Iraj Tahmasb and Mahmoud Kalari, as two well-known filmmakers, were part of this committee, and Mohammad Reza Tashakori, as the Deputy for International Affairs of the Farabi Cinema Foundation, effectively represents the interests of Iranian cinema on the global stage.
Given the new changes in the Academy Awards rules, films that receive awards at reputable festivals have the opportunity to qualify directly for the Oscars. 'Noon Food' by Majid Majidi, which competed at the Busan Festival, may also go to the Oscars as another representative of Iran. Currently, 87 countries have introduced their representatives, and Iranian cinema can participate with two films in these competitions.
Manouchehr Mohammadi, the producer of 'Land of Angels', has emphasized that this film was made with an international perspective from the beginning, as the subject of Gaza and Palestine is a global issue. He stresses the continuation of this film's success at international festivals and hopes that 'Land of Angels' can achieve even greater success at the 2027 Oscars. This is the second time a film by Babak Khajeh Pasha has gone to the Oscars, as he previously represented Iran with the film 'In the Embrace of the Tree'.
Read more: Programs for the Tourism and Cultural Week in Tehran focusing on neighborhood-centricity · 'Land of Angels' has become Iran's representative at the 2027 Oscars
