Call for Entries: The 54th Roshd International Festival of Scientific, and Educational Films

Educational films, enriched by artistic language, intrinsic appeal, profound emotional impact, and fostering curiosity, questioning, self-awareness, and understanding of the surrounding world through media, hold an effective role in shaping deep-seated values and beliefs aligned with national curriculum goals. Accordingly, the Research and Educational Planning Organization of the Ministry of Education is hosting the 54th Roshd International Festival of Scientific, and Educational Films with the following objectives

  • Identifying and showcasing the top scientific, and educational productions in cinema, creating a national and international platform to support religious and virtue-oriented education
  • Providing artistic and pedagogical support to formal education and learning streams;
  • Establishing equitable grounds for the artistic and educational growth of teacher and student filmmakers
  • Promoting innovation and creativity and enhancing the quality of scientific, educational, and training films
  • Emphasizing schools as civilization-building institutions that train the next generation to address national issues
Festival Themes

The Roshd International Film Festival is not restricted to a specific theme. Any film that presents valuable insights on universal truths, inviting audiences to discover and experience, is welcomed. The festival seeks films with purposeful and practical educational design, expressed creatively and effectively—films that support the nurturing of Iran's future leaders with a meaningful and genuine alignment to our Islamic national goals and the identity-building institution of the school

The "Operational Goals and Macro Strategies of the Fundamental Education Transformation Document" offer filmmakers meaningful inspiration to bring forth unique, engaging, and innovative ideas for this international event

Festival Categories

A) International

This section accepts films that address school-related issues and promote religious and virtue-based education

B) Teacher Filmmakers

Entries are accepted from both active and retired teachers across employment types

C) Student Filmmakers 

Entries are accepted from student filmmakers previously selected by the Ministry of Education’s Student Film Festival. Films from other specialized student festivals, or independent submissions that meet entry requirements, may also qualify

Special Awards
  1. School Award: Foundation of Iranian-Islamic Civilization

Recognizing films that present innovative views on schools as institutions that shape global perspectives and contribute to the identity of educational activists

  1. Teacher Award

Acknowledging films that celebrate the role, status, and respect of teachers

  1. Sacrifice and Selflessness Award

Honoring films that emphasize sacrifice, devotion, and the protection of one’s homeland. This year’s award highlights support for resistance fronts and defiance against imperialism

  1. Supporters' Special Awards

Recognizing films that address the following thematic priorities: family and youth population growth, energy conservation and environmental protection, the connection between prayer, mosques, and schools, protecting children’s rights within social issues and, harms of cyberspace

Family and Youth of the Society

Cultural, Entrepreneurship, and Cooperative Activities

Connection of Prayer, Mosque, and School

Social Harms with an Emphasis on Safeguarding Children's Rights

Social Harms in the Virtual Space

Film Formats Accepted

Narrative (Short/Feature); Documentary (Short/Feature); Animation (Short/Feature); Screenplay

Festival Dates

December 21–25, 2024

Awards

During the closing ceremony, the best films will receive festival trophies, honorary diplomas, certificates, and cash prizes in the following categories

Best Films, selected by the judging panel

Special Award winners

Supporters’ Award winners

Entry Regulations

Submission deadline: November 10, 2024

Entrants must upload an official photo, director’s note, biography, film stills, and behind-the-scenes photos via the festival’s registration system

Selected films will be screened during the festival

Certificates will be awarded to winning films

Submissions will not be returned

Films must be produced after 2022 and not currently in public release (for domestic films)

Films that previously participated in the festival are not eligible

Filmmakers may submit works in all categories

Films lacking technical standards (sound and image quality) will not be considered

Multi-part films may only submit one episode or all episodes as a single entry

Films in local dialects or foreign languages must have official Persian subtitles

Short films must not exceed 45 minutes

Submission implies acceptance of all festival rules

For teacher filmmakers, proof of employment or enrollment is required

In the student section, films made by students in grades 7-12 will be considered

Student-directed films with adult production team members will be judged in the International section

English-subtitled versions must be submitted within one week of selection; otherwise, the film may be disqualified

The festival reserves the right to screen selected films in educational centers nationwide, both inside and outside Iran

 

Submission Process

To submit, register at eff.roshd.ir and upload the link or file of the work

For inquiries

Festival Secretariat phone: +98 21 77504482

Email: eff53@roshd.ir

For inquiriesFestival Secretariat phone: +98 21 77504482

Permanent Secretariat of the Roshd International Film Festival

Tehran, October 2024