TEHRAN -- Iran will be launching its Arabic channel IFILM to entertain the Arab viewers on Id al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan this week.

In a press conference held here on Monday, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Deputy Director for International Affairs Mohammad Sarafraz gave some details about the news.
The TV channel will officially be inaugurated on Thursday in the presence of IRIB director Ezzatollah Zarghami and several MPs.
The 24-hour TV channel will broadcast Iranian films and TV series dubbed into the Arabic language throughout the week.
“There are also plans for several TV contests. Also included is the joint production of movies and TV series in collaboration with Arab countries. Arab critics residing in Iran will also be invited to discuss the productions,” he added.
“The productions have currently been submitted to Syria, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be dubbed into Arabic. Most of the movies and TV series will be aired in the Arabic language, and only a few will have Arabic subtitles.”
He continued, “The productions are coming from the Ministry of Culture, the Art Bureau and several other organizations. The films will also be selected after the conclusion of their screenings inside the country.
“The channel will be available on Arabsat and Nilesat. It will also be available soon on Hotbird,” he stated.
Sarafraz expressed hope to draw the attention of the Arab world to Iranian productions.