TEHRAN -- November 11 was the day for Reza Naji as he won prizes at two top international festivals in Australia and Syria for his role in “The Song of Sparrows”.

He received the prize for Best Performance by an Actor from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2008, which was held in Gold Coast, Australia.
Meanwhile, he was also awarded the Best Actor prize of the 16th Damascus International Film Festival, which took place from November 1 to 11.
In addition, the film director Majid Majidi won the Jury Special Award of the Damascus festival for the film’s humanistic message.
“The Song of Sparrows” is a bittersweet parable about the struggles of a family living in a rural area outside Tehran.
Naji plays Karim who leaves his homeland and goes to Tehran to find a work. However, he faces many other difficulties.
Last year, Naji won the Silver Bear prize for best actor at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival for his role in “The Song of Sparrows.”
“The Song of Sparrows” is representing Iran at the 81st Annual Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Films category.
Photo: Iranian actor Reza Naji reacts after he receives the Silver Bear award as best actor, during a news conference after the award ceremony at the 58th International Film Festival Berlinale in Berlin, Germany, February 16, 2008. Naji was awarded for his performance in Iranian movie “The Song of Sparrows”.