Two University of Winchester staff members have organised a mini film festival showcasing Iranian cinema.
Whispers from Iran, scheduled for November 30, will be held at Southampton's Persian Cultural Centre.
The event has been organised by Paul Carter, senior lecturer in the School of Media and Film, and Ian Roberts, programme administrator in the School of Health and Care Professions.
Paul and Ian have been involved with Winchester Film Festival, a partner organisation of the university, which has prominently featured Iranian films for several years.
Ian, who is also a PhD student whose thesis looks at the cultural impact on communities of small film festivals, said: "Iranian films have been an important part of Winchester Film Festival since 2018 but Southampton has a large and active Iranian community so we thought the city should be screening some of these films.
"The standard of Iranian film making is very high and gives a window on a world we wouldn’t otherwise see. Beyond the big names there are many other film makers which we are hoping to connect with a wider audience.
"It is important that they get the chance to experience Iranian films curated and presented primarily by members of the Iranian community,” he said. “It will provide a degree of context to the films and wider culture which can otherwise be absent when viewing as ‘outsiders’."
Iranian filmmakers have garnered critical acclaim since the 1990s, winning numerous prizes at top international festivals.
The films to be screened include Somewhere to Stay (2023), Mixed (2023), Mirage (2023), Malakout (2020), and Slight Pain (2021).
A spokesperson for the Persian Cultural Trust said: "We at Southampton Persian Cultural Centre are proud to be working with members of Winchester Film Festival and the University of Winchester to showcase some Iranian made and directed short movies.
"The first visual representation in Iran is thought to have been in 500BC. Since then, after many ups and downs, today Iran is ranked as one of the best nations in movie making and directing. Something indeed to be very proud of."
Tickets for Whispers from Iran, on November 30, cost just £3 on the door or £2 in advance from livedperspectives.co.uk/tickets.
Screenings will run from 7pm to 10pm.
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