Cinema Organization of Iran Director Hojjatollah Ayyubi said that Fajr International Film Festival helps Iran improve public diplomacy in the world. He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the international section of the 33rd edition of the festival held at Tehran’s Mellat Cinema Complex on Saturday.

The creation and love-child of two multi-talented persons, Roberto Ruta and Lisa Chiari, to call MENOW just a film festival would be a gross understatement. This is a meeting of minds, a salute to all the great arts and culture that the Region has to offer, complete with delicious food tastings, exclusive concerts and yes, of course, stunning new films.

After working as a war cameraman for 18 years, getting injured twice along the way, Egyptian journalist Ibrahim al Batout decided to get away from the real-life violence and make movies.  But his latest venture "El Ott" or "The Cat", which premiered this week at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, does not shy away from blood.

Offering a break from the political and armed conflicts that colour the international community's view of Israel, the 12th World Film Festival of Bangkok and the Israeli embassy have collaborated to offer a special survey of contemporary Israeli cinema.

At a time when Israel is continuously bombing the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, a 28-day film festival in Bangalore, jointly organised by the Israeli consulate, the Suchitra Film Society, and Bangalore Cultural Partners from Thursday to July 31, has raised the hackles of a section of the culturati across the country. They have taken to Facebook asking academia and culture circles to boycott and condemn this film festival.