TEHRAN -- Iran has submitted a proposal to play host to the CIFEJ (the Centre International du Film pours l’Enfance et la Jeuneusse) headquarters in Tehran.

When Iran’s Education Ministry agreed to the idea, Iran proposed to host the CIFEJ HQ, and the request was discussed during the (April 17-20) CIFEJ Board Meeting held in Tehran, Mohsen Chiniforushan said on Monday.
Iran’s Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) director Chiniforushan added, “Iran and Germany both proposed their requests at the CIFEG board meeting in Johnsonburg last year, and the members will decide on the best proposal at the 2009 CIFEJ General Assembly in Taiwan running from June 30 to July 4. The Taiwan’s Fubon Cultural and Educational Foundation will be hosting the meeting.
“Several issues including reports on previous Kids for Kids festivals, launching an international network to distribute films produced by CIFEJ members and establishing European film producing offices will also be reviewed at the meeting.
“If the headquarter is relocated to Tehran, the capital will turn into the world magnet for children’s cinema. This will encourage joint productions and enhance relations between Iranian cinematic figures and other international filmmakers,” he explained.
Chiniforushan regarded Iran’s position with the 10 members of the CIFEJ as favorable, adding, “IIDCYA has had good relations with CIFEJ over the past two years and has assisted in publishing calendars, designing a CIFEJ statue, and launching its new website.”
CIFEJ, an international non-governmental organization of professionals dedicated to promoting excellence in the audio-visual media for young audiences, was started in 1955. It is a member of the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (CICT-IFTC/UNESCO) and has 156 members worldwide. Membership consists mainly of Europeans and Canadians.
Chiniforushan further remarked that over the past 54 years, the headquarters were mainly located in Canada and France, but due to financial problems, they cannot afford to play host any more.
About 40% of the budget is paid for by membership fees and the rest is provided by the host country, he concluded.