World-class documentary films in bid for prestigious award

The IMS-supported documentary films Sepideh and Return to Homs are nominated for the prestigious main prize at the world’s largest documentary film festival in Amsterdam this week

Both films compete at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in the main award category for best full-length documentaries. Both have received support through IMS’ documentary film-making programme.

A fascinating film about a 16-year old Iranian woman who wants to become an astronaut, Sepideh tells the heart-warming story of how her ambitions clash with her family’s expectations.

Return to Homs, which had the honour of opening IDFA, is a gripping journey to the devastated Syrian city Homs. Filmed over three years, it takes the viewer through the minds and actions of two young men who go from defending freedom and pacifism to when they feel forced to take up arms.

Both films are nominated for the VPRO IDFA Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary. Winners will be announced on Saturday 30 November at IDFA’s closing ceremony in Amsterdam.

Watch the trailer for Sepideh

Watch the trailer for Return to Homs

Documentary film has formed an integral part of IMS’ work to promote dialogue and freedom of expression in the Arab world and Iran since 2005.

In 2008, the IMS-supported documentary Burma VJ won IDFA’s main award for best full-length documentary. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

IDFA is the world’s largest documentary film festival held annually since 1988 in Amsterdam.