Ten movies have been selected by Iran’s Farabi Cinema Foundation for the festival, which will run until December 10, the Persian service of IRNA reported on Thursday.

“Tragedy” by Azita Moguie, “Crazy Castle” by Abolhassan Davudi, “A House on 41st Street” by Hamidreza Qorbani, and “A Tale of Love” by Ahmad Ramezanzadseh are among the films.

The festival also is screening “The Long Farewell” by Farzad Motamen, “The Other One’s Dad” by Yadollah Samadi, “Where Are My Shoes” by Kiumars Purahmad, “Sweet Taste of Imagination” by Kamal Tabrizi and “Under the Moonlight” by Reza Mirkarimi.

The festival has been organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Iran and Iran’s Islamic culture and Relations Organization.

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The site was inscribed on the world heritage list during the 41st session of UNSCO’s World Heritage Committee in Krakow, Poland, on Sunday, July 9, ifpnews.com wrote.

The historical structure of Yazd is a collection of public-religious architecture with a very large scope comprising of Islamic architectural elements extending over different periods of history in harmonious combination with climatic conditions.

Iran nominated Arasbaran Protected Zone in East Azarbaijan Province and the historical city of Yazd for 2017 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing.

Mohammad Hassan Talebian, the deputy head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said earlier: “While Arasbaran Protected Zone is Iran’s second natural heritage site to be proposed for UNESCO registration, Yazd is the first city in Iran to be nominated for registration as a world heritage site.”

He pointed out, “Yazd is one of the most important desert cities of Iran. The city bears distinct signs of innovation and creativity, a majority of which were promoted between the 10th and 20th centuries CE.

“The old texture of Yazd is in a better shape than other historical cities of Iran.”

Yazd is Iran’s largest adobe city and its monuments boast high architectural values.

“The cultural outlook of Yazd is yet to be modernized and as a result the majority of the monuments including mosques, minarets, houses and cisterns perfectly mirror ancient Islamic-Iranian architecture,” he said.

The official said Yazd became a settlement with the establishment of cisterns.

“One can see diverse eco-friendly architectural styles in Yazd, as if the ancient habitats were aware of the principles of sustainable development. Ancient residents of the city tried to apply wind, soil, and water energies in a way not to damage the environment,” he said.

Yazd has been a manifestation of the brightest cultural heritage and ancient civilization throughout history with human settlement dating back to the third millennium BCE.

Tribes, who migrated from Balkh to Pars, called this land ‘Yazdan’ during the Pishdadi era. The most important early settlements in Yazd include Mehrpadin (Mehriz), Fahrashan or Pahreh (Fahraj), Khormish and Adar (Ardakan), Aqda and Eshkezar.

Yazd is the first adobe city in the world and is the second historical city after Venice, Italy.

Yazd is known as the city of wind towers. In fact, wind towers improve ventilation. They can be seen in residential units and ancient houses.

Yazd’s historical monuments include Yazd Jame’ Mosque, Seyyed Rokneddin Mausoleum, Amir Chaqmaq Complex, Lariha House, Alexander Prison, Narin Castle, Chak Temple and Water Museum.

In addition, 77 localities of Yazd known as ‘Yazd Historical Texture’ were registered as No. 15,000 on the National Heritage List in 2005.

Gharbal Biz (Mehriz), Tamehr (near Taft) and Masih (Harat) are among the important springs of Yazd.

The protected zones in Yazd are among the other attractions of the province.

Taft is the hub of pomegranate and silkworm in Yazd Province. Its pomegranates are exported. Peaches are also a famous agro product in Taft.

Also, Taft’s water has been well known throughout the history of the province. An alley in Yazd is known as ‘Ab-e Taft’, which indicates the vivacity of Taft.

Due to certain climatic and economic conditions as well as its remoteness, the inhabitants of Yazd have been involved in making handicrafts. Yazd handicrafts have attracted the attention of artisans and art-lovers across the country since olden times.

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The festival’s awards ceremony took place late Thursday at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall.

According to fajriff.com, Iran’s Culture Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Director of Iranian Cinema Organization Mohammad-Mehdi Heidarian, plus a large number of A-list Iranian and foreign film directors, producers, critics, journalists, academics, and stars attended the ceremony.

Addressing the participants, the secretary of the festival, Reza Mirkarimi said, “I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who worked round the clock to help me make this up-and-coming event possible. We are now more than ever determined to turn FIff into an annual event for those vying for global peace, justice and dignity both in their films and in their workings.”

Hosted by prominent actor Ashkan Khatibi, the ceremony was broadcast live in both English and Persian.

Full list of winners follows

International Competition (Cinema of Salvation)

Golden Simorgh for Best Film: ‘The Home’ by Asghar Yousefinejad, Iran

Silver Simorgh for Best Director: ‘Ivan D. Gaona, Guilty Men’, Colombia

Silver Simorgh for Best Actress: ‘Margita Gosheva, Glory’, Bulgaria

Silver Simorgh for Best Actor: ‘Stefan Denolyubov, Glory’, Bulgaria

Silver Simorgh for Best Script: ‘The Home’, Asghar Yousefinejad, Iran

Silver Simorgh for Special Jury Prize — Art Direction and Cinematography: Zhu Jinjing (Cinematography), ‘Wang Tou (Art Director), ‘Mr. No Problem’, (China, France)

Silver Simorgh for Best Short Film: ‘Online Shopping’ by Qasideh Golmakani, Iran

Members of the panel of jury in this section were: Florian Gallenberger (Germany), Jessica Woodworth (USA), Lech Majewski (Poland), Mieko Harada (Japan), Uberto Pasolini (Italy), Fatemah Motamed-Aria‎‎ (Iran), and Rasoul Sadrameli (Iran).

Muhammad al-Ameen Award

‘Babaei’, Mozaffar Hosseinkhani Hezaveh, Iran

Asian Film Awards

Best Asian Film: ‘Returnee’ by Sabit Kurmanbekov, Kazakhstan

Best Asian Director: Shahrbanoo Sadat, ‘Wolf and Sheep’, Afghanistan/Denmark/France/Sweden

Best Asian Short Film: ‘Not Yet’ by Arian Vazirdaftari, Iran

Members of the panel of jury in this section were: Hamida Omarova (Azerbaijan), Omirbaev Darezhan Karazhanovich (Kazakhstan), Zeki Demirkubuz (Turkey), Nejib Ayed (Tunisia), and Kamal Tabrizi (Iran).

Interfaith Award

‘Knife in the Clear Water’ by Wang Xuebo, China

Jury members are Michał Legan (Poland), Katia Malatesta (Italy) and Hojatollah Ayoubi (Iran).

NETPAC Prize

‘The Home’ by Asghar Yousefinejad, Iran

The members of the jury in this section were: Anne Demy-Geroe (Australia), Rolando B. Tolentino (Philipines) and Houshang Golmakani (Iran).

Presided over by Reza Mirkarimi, the 35th edition of FIff took place from April 21 to 28 in Tehran.

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#AFCBeachSoccer2017
M23 United Arab Emirates vs Islamic Republic of Iran – News Report

The UAE’s Haitham Mohamed opened the match with an impressive effort which Iran goalkeeper Peyman Hosseini saved well, but it was to be Iran which would draw first blood, Moslem Mesigar tapping home from close range to hand his side an early lead, the-afc.com reported.

Clearly, boosted by its goal, Iran immediately doubled its advantage through Hosseini’s impressive strike, before Iran skipper Mohammad Ahmadzadeh fired a volley, just inches wide.

With the UAE failing to make an impression, Iran struck again as Mohammad-Ali Mokhtari’s penalty rounded off a fine first period for the Iranians.

Kamal Ali then went close with a volley as the Emiratis tried to rally. However, worse was to come for them as Mesigar’s cool header found the net with keeper Humaid Jamal rooted to the spot.

It was to be Jamal who eventually dragged the UAE back into the game with an impressive finish four minutes from time, a brief glimmer of hope that shone even brighter when Haitham Mohamed scored following neat approach play.

It was, however, not to be for the UAE, as an accurate Ali Nazem free-kick, followed by Amir Akbari’s volley and a Mokhtari penalty sealed a win – and the title – for the Iranians.

President praise

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Iran on capturing the Asian title.

In the earlier third and fourth place match, Japan edged out Lebanon 6-3 to secure its spot, alongside Iran and the UAE, as Asia’s three representatives at the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017, which will be played in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, from April 27 to May 7, 2017.

Shaikh Salman said, “I would like to congratulate Islamic Republic Iran who were a formidable force from start to finish. UAE should also be praised for their brilliant efforts in a captivating final.

“Along with Japan, Asia has three teams of outstanding quality and I am confident that they will do the continent proud in the Bahamas.”

The AFC President also paid tribute to Terengganu, Malaysia and the Local Organizing Committee for hosting a memorable tournament. “On behalf of the Asian football family, I must convey my appreciation to the Terengganu State Sports Council and the Terengganu State Government for their warm hospitality and displaying excellence in organizing a truly exceptional competition.

“This is the first time the tournament was hosted in Southeast Asia and it once again represents the AFC’s Vision and Mission to better engage with passionate football fans across the continent.”

The newly-crowned champion of Asia has been drawn to face Italy, Mexico and Nigeria in Group B at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017. Meanwhile, runner-up the UAE is in Group C, where it will compete against Panama, Paraguay and Portugal. Third-placed Japan will feature in Group D comprising Brazil, Poland and Tahiti at the Bahamas Beach Stadium in Nassau.

Iran will open Asia’s campaign in the Bahamas against Mexico on April 27, 3.30 p.m. (local time). Japan and the UAE will begin their conquests the following day on April 28 against Poland and Paraguay at 3.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (local time) respectively.

Physical fitness, Iran’s trump card

Following the final showdown, Iran head coach Mohammad Hossein Mirshamsi praised the performance of his players, saying, “We were ready for this game and we knew that the UAE were tired as it was a tough semifinal game against Lebanon for them.

“I think today’s game was easy for us. The most important advantage that we had over the UAE today was physical fitness. We were thankful for that.

“Looking back, I think our most difficult match in this competition was our encounter against Japan in the semifinals, but we analyzed the UAE’s games and I believe we were ahead of them in terms of tactics and technique.”

Mirshami believed Asia is now well placed to challenge for honors come April’s global extravaganza in the Bahamas.

“It is good that Iran, the UAE and Japan are all representing Asia [at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup],” he said.

“I believe we now have a strong Asian presence at the World Cup.”

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Russia’s Nikita Liamin/Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Poland’s Kantor/Losiak came up with straight-set wins over their rivals to progress to the final of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Kish Island 3-Star on Saturday.
Liamin/Krasilnikov outplayed Germany’s Lorenz Schumann/Julius Thole 2-0 (21-19, 21-15), while Kantor/Losiak overpowered Stoyanovskiy/Yarzutkin 2-0 (21-13, 21-17) in the semifinals.
Liamin/Krasilnikov’s slow start allowed Schumann/Thole to gain the early lead in the first set, but the Russian’s better performance down the stretch secured them the set-win at 21-19. The Russian pair kept their pace and capitalised on the German’s missed attacks to seal set and match victory at 21-15.

Kantor/Losiak took control early on in the match, while Stoyanovski/Yarzutkin struggled on their attacks. Kantor mounted several excellent blocks, which provided the Polish side to gain cushion and win both sets at 21-13 and 21-17.

Schumann/Thole can still earn their first-ever World Tour medal against last year’s Kish Island silver medallists Stoyanovskiy/Yarzutkin in the bronze medal match at 15:00 local time, while Liamin/Krasilnikov will play their first final together against last year’s bronze winners Kantor/Losiak at 16:00.

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Poland has begun new cooperation with Iran in the post-JCPOA era over development of oil trade as well as collaborations for investment in upstream sector of Iranian oil and gas industry.

So far, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has signed spot contracts for crude sales to Lotos S.A. and PKN Orlen while negotiations have also begun with another Polish oil giant for investment in Iranian oil and gas industry.

Managing Director of National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) Bijan Alipour, while pointing to the held talks with a Polish firm over implementing developmental projects and boosting recovery factor in southern Iranian oilfields, announced that senior officials of a Polish oil and gas refinery will travel to Iran late January to finalize talks with Iran.

Moreover, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), in a statement released last week, affirmed adequacy of 29 international oil and gas companies willing to put in tenders for Iran’s upstream oil sector with the name of Poland’s PGNiG SA on the list.

Poland’s biggest refiner PKN Orlen announced a major purchase of crude oil from Iran thus becoming the latest company to join the already long list of European clients of Iranian oil.

What’s more, NIOC and PGNiG have recently signed into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development of Sumar field in west Iran.

In the same line, Deputy Head of NIOC for Development and Engineering Affairs Gholamreza Manouchehri has described the deal with the Polish over Sumar oilfield saying “PGNiG will conduct studies in the field for six months before making a proposal and a contract will be inked in case both side reach agreement.”

Chairman of Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA (PGNiG) Peter Wozniak referred to the age-old history of ties between Iran and Poland stressing that his company had returned to Iran after a six-year hiatus, “given our outstanding experiences in Pakistan and Norway, we will hopefully succeed in development of Sumar field.”

From 2006 to 2010, PGNiG held several talks with Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) for expansion of Lavan gas field in the Persian Gulf and eventually refused to cooperate with NIOC after years of using delaying tactics.

Bordering Iraq in the west of Kermanshah province, Sumar oil field was discovered in 2009 and is believed to hold an in-place reserve of 475 million barrels of which 70 million barrels is recoverable.

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The Iranian squad stands third with 110 points, Tasnim News Agency reported.

Poland (130 points) and Argentina (120 points) are first and second in the ranking.

Also, Iran men’s U-23 team is seventh in the global ranking with 70 points. Turkey (108), Italy (106) and Russia (100) are the top three teams.

Iran men’s U-21 volleyball team has moved down one place to 11th with 41 points. Russia leads the ranking with 122 points, followed by Argentina (120) and China (110).

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NIOC intends to invite several rounds of tenders for a number of oil exploration & production (E&P) projects; accordingly, credible and qualified foreign E&P firms were asked to participate in the competence evaluation process.

Conformity assessment documents and related information, including evaluation methods, criteria and procedures were placed on the official website of NIOC on October 17, 2016.

Applicants were required to submit a copy of demanded documents along with electronic files as long as December 04.

According to NIOC official website, secretariat of tenders for upstream oil and gas sector contracts, upon receiving information from interested companies and evaluation of documents, promulgated names of 29 accredited foreign firms.

The final list contains names of prominent oil giants from Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Malaysia, Russia, Austria, Thailand, Japan, Poland, the Netherlands, Britain, Spain and China among the others.

So far, numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been inked with foreign companies for development of oil and gas fields though the first international tender in Iran’s oil industry is scheduled to be invited in coming months for expansion of South Azadegan field.

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The scene opened the eyes of many, bringing greater awareness to Para athletes and continuing to inspire a generation of not only Muslim women but people in her country with an impairment, paralympic.org reported.

Nemati became the first Para athlete to carry her nation’s flag during the Olympics, and Iran’s second female flag bearer after Lida Fariman did so in 1996.

The scene of Nemati carrying the Iranian flag had great significance, and that is why it marks at No. 11 in the International Paralympic Committee’s Top 50 Moments of 2016.

“It was my honor as I was the only Paralympian participating in the Olympic Games as the flag bearer,” Nemati told Paralympic.org. “This matter led to change so many minds and people around the world that in spite of many severe challenges, we can make everything possible.”

Nemati added that not many expected to see a woman in a wheelchair carrying the Iranian flag during the Olympics Opening Ceremony.

“That moment was a surprise for the world; I always enjoy surprising the people,” she said.

The two-time Paralympian strongly believed that she raised the profile of the Paralympics when competing in the Olympics.

“Certainly,” she said. “Representing as a Paralympian sent an essential message to the world. That’s an important message that a Paralympian can qualify for Olympics to compete with elite [able-bodied] athletes and also act as a flag bearer for the country. I was so glad to forward this message with my presence in the Rio Olympic Games.”

Nemati made her name known four years ago, when she won the individual recurve W1/W2 at London 2012. That moment marked the first time an Iranian woman won Olympic or Paralympic gold, and she has continued to make history since then.

In November 2015, Nemati secured a historic qualifying spot for her nation at the Rio Olympics after her performance at the Asian Archery Championships.

She was one of the few Paralympians to compete at the 2016 Olympics, with Para table tennis players Natalia Partyka of Poland and Melissa Tapper of Australia among the other notable Paralympians.

During archery events at the Rio Olympics, Nemati put together a 28 in the second set to get on the scoreboard — but could not produce in the closing series, and ultimately fell out of the competition, 6-2.

She came back to the Sambodromo to compete in the Paralympics, where she successfully defended her title.

“Every edition has its own conditions and features, but as I was the only Paralympian in the Olympics; I had a peculiar feeling in the Games,” Nemati said. “The atmosphere was so competitive and all athletes aimed to stand on the podium. The Paralympic Games had another different experience. Since I always consider it like my home, I found the Paralympics more of a friendly Games.”

Nemati also noted that her stay in the Athletes’ Village during the Olympic Games was another different experience than her stay during the Paralympics.

“Although most of people were amazed, their reaction was so nice,” she recalled. “I was welcomed by the people and all tried to communicate with me since this matter was so unfamiliar for them; especially for the Brazilians who treated me so well.”

Just two years after a car accident in 2004 left her with spinal cord injuries, Nemati took up the sport that would lead her to become a national treasure.

Within six months she was beating able-bodied athletes at a national level and in 2010 broke her first world record.

After a hectic past few months following the Games, Nemati said all the receptions and ceremonies are done at the moment and she is enjoying downtime in her hometown Kerman. But she wanted to leave one more message: “I ask again all people with disabilities; never surrender in your disability. Be informed that sport is one of the best ways to overcome disability.”

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Aiming at attracting maximum investment and modern technology, Iran’s Oil Ministry, in addition to introducing new model of oil contracts, dubbed as the Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC), has allowed National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) to prepare its own specific model for oil contracts.

The model of contract based on which the NISOC has signed several Memorandums of Understanding with international companies was drawn up an aim to attract foreign investment and new technologies.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with Iranian companies, Managing Director of NISOC Bijan Alipour said his company was conducting meetings with qualified Iranian and foreign firms.

He urged domestic firms to pick up foreign partners in order to take advantage of financial resources and modern technologies for cooperation and development of Iranian oil fields.

He voiced optimism towards outcomes of meetings and expressed hope that a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be inked.

He said two MoUs had been signed with Pergas Consortium and Schlumberger in the framework of the NISOC contract model; “talks are underway with BP (British Petroleum), Argentina’s largest oil company YPF in addition to China’s Sinopec and CNPC.”

Alipour also pointed to the upcoming visit of PGNiG (literally: Polish Petroleum and Gas Mining) officials to Tehran in order to begin negotiations with NISOC.

Based on the NISOC contract, the Parsi, Karanj, Rag Sefid and Shadegan fields, consisting nine reservoirs, will be developed.

The nine reservoirs consist Asmari, Pabdeh and Khami reserves in Karanj field, Asmari, Bangestan and Khami reservoirs in Rag Sefid field, Asmari reservoir in Parsi field and Asmari and Bangestan reservoirs in Shadegan field.

Under the contract model, National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) will be the employer and the NISOC will be executive leading the project on behalf of the NIOC.

The contractor of the project or the qualified Iranian or foreign oil companies will have to finance the projects.

NISOC contracts comprise two types including Contracts for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) or Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) as well as Performance Based Contracting (PBC), also known as performance-based logistics (PBL).

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