Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association warns that lives of jailed filmmakers are in danger

The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) has expressed its “grave concern” for prisoners, particularly political detainees, of the Islamic regime amid ongoing military strikes on the country by Israel and the United States.

IIFMA cited reports claiming that detained protesters, including more than 50 filmmakers and artists, are being transferred to detention sites located near strategic infrastructure and military bases, increasing their risk of harm in the event of military strikes.

“As the Islamic government clings to power, it may seek revenge against Iranians, especially imprisoned protesters,” warned the IIFMA.

IIFMA has urged international artistic and human-rights organisations, diplomatic missions, and independent monitors to urgently investigate and verify these transfers and the locations and conditions of detainees.

It also wants them to demand information from Iranian authorities and press for the relocation of prisoners to safe, civilian facilities; and to take immediate measures to protect the lives and humane treatment of imprisoned artists, ensuring they are not exposed to harm from foreign military actions or the regime’s reprisals.

IIFMA was founded in November 2022 in response to the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising to foster independent cinema both in Iran and within the diaspora. It has had a regular presence at major film festivals since then, and had a stand at the recent Berlinale.

IIFMA has shared the list below of more than 53 detained artists with international partners:

• Davood Abbasi, filmmaker and cinematographer
• Negin Khaksar, musician
• Mehdi Mahmoudian, screenwriter
• Ghazale Vakili, actress
• Navid Zarehbin, photographer and videographer
• Mohsen Alayi Poor, assistant director
• Peyman Dastjerdi, DoP
• Mostafa Ali Mohammadi, musician
• Ali Taheri-Kia, filmmaker (student)
• Abbas Tartifi, actor (theatre)
• Kimia Mousavi (Marzieh Sadat), actor (cinema & theatre)
• Faezeh Taheri, actor (theatre)
• Hosein Mazinani, musician
• Ali Hamedani, actor (theatre)
• Vahid Soleymani, actor & producer
• Shwar Karimzadeh, actor
• Masoud piyahoo, musician
• Yalda Abasi, musician
• Parsa Moslehi Fard, musician
• Ramin Pour asl, musician
• Samyar Motalebi, musician
• Peyman Yousefi, musician
• Rejina, musician
• Mohammad Moein Alaghemand, assistant director & actor
• Sirvan Shaebani, musician
• Ahmad Safarzadeh, actor
• Davood Mohamadi Nia, poet
• Ali Asadolahi, Writer
• Majid Afzali pour, theatre and poet
• Nima Amiri, graphic student
• Artin Parivash, musician & jewellery designer
• Mohammad Parsa Ostad Reza, musician
• Alborz Adi, painter
• Sahand Abas Nia, art student
• Arashk Zaeferani, singer (musician)
• Nastaran Bagherzadeh, actor (theatre)
• Artin Gazabfari, photographer
• Davood Noroozi, poet
• Mahyar Agha Mohammad Bagher, jewellery designer
• Sadegh Mansouri, calligrapher
• Hemat Karimi, art student
• Abdolah Aj Parin, director (theater)
• Paria Marandiz, actress
• Shakila Ghasemi, graphic designer
• Peyman Farah Avar, poet
• Hosein Namvar, actor
• Amir Masoud Mokarami, director (theater)
• Sepideh (Marziyeh) Cheraghi, fashion designer
• Ali Safari, actor
• Mobin Asgharzadeh, actor
• Naser Solymani, actor (theatre)
• Masoud Yousef Hasirchin, translator
• Mohamad Ebrahimi, painter