Iranian film festival Nowruz” starts today in Sderot – culture connects!

Iranian film festival Nowruz” starts today in Sderot – culture connects!

At a time when political tensions between Israel and Iran are running high, the Iranian film festival “Nowruz” opens its doors today in Sderot. The two-day event, running from November 24 to 25, aims to promote dialogue between people of the two nations, with a focus on Persian culture and Iranian cinema. The initiator, Dana Sameach, an Israeli with Persian roots, has made it her mission to build cultural bridges and create a connection between cultures that were once burdened by wars and conflicts. Loud North24 she hopes the festival can spark meaningful dialogue.

The event will be broadcast live via social media in order to reach viewers in Iran who may not have access due to government internet restrictions. Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi supports the event and emphasizes the importance of promoting such cultural connections. He himself has Persian roots and therefore brings a personal touch to the initiative. In an interview with Times of Israel It was mentioned that Sderot is also a city under reconstruction after the recent attacks by Hamas.

Film selection and musical performances

There are a total of five films on the program, including works by renowned directors such as Asghar Farhadi. Films shown include:

• „Forushande“ (The Salesman)
• „A Hero“
• „Die Saat des heiligen Feigenbaums“
• „Lolita lesen in Teheran“
• „Persepolis“

The opening film is “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” which is followed by a musical performance. On the second day of the festival, lectures, further film screenings and music performances are also planned, followed by a screening of “The Salesman”. Music will be another important part of the festival and should bring the culture to life.

Criticism and challenges

While the festival is celebrated in the western part of the world, there is considerable criticism in Iran. The Fars news agency described the event as “hypocritical” and criticized it as a “political-strategic ploy”. An anonymous Iranian film producer expressed skepticism about the films, calling them outdated works that are suppressed in Iran. Despite this resistance, Dana Sameach remains optimistic that the festival can shine a light on Iranian culture and show Israelis that there are people in Iran who appreciate and understand Iranian cinema.

The “Nowruz” festival could serve not only as a cultural platform, but also as an opportunity to break down existing prejudices and promote dialogue between different cultures. The festival, named after the Persian New Year, could symbolize a new beginning and bring rays of hope to a dark time for Sderot, a city on a geopolitically exciting frontier. An additional project that is already building on the success of the “Nowruz” festival is the next film festival, which will take place from June 10th to 14th, 2026, under the name “Visions of Iran”, which also deals with current topics in Iranian cinema. Further information can be found on the festival website Iranian Film Festival.