‘Long Walk to Freedom’ wins Iran film award

“We are honoured to receive the best film award at the International Film Festival of Resistance, especially as the people of Iran have a special place in their hearts for Mr Mandela,” Singh said in a statement.

“We are pleased that we could screen ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’ in a country with a rich film culture and extremely talented filmmakers and with the audience being devoted cinephiles.”

The festival aims to expand the culture of resistance.

Other films in the running for the award included Algeria’s 2013 Academy Award submission “Zabana” and “No”, an Oscar-nominated Chilean film.

Hossein Panahi, of the International Film Festival of Resistance, said in the statement it was a privilege to have had the film about former president Nelson Mandela’s life in the festival.

“Mr Mandela was one of the greatest statesmen of our time and epitomized moral leadership. His story as depicted in the film is truly inspirational.”

Mandela died at his Houghton home on December 5 last year. He was buried ten days later in Qunu, the rural area in which he spent most of his boyhood.

– Sapa