TEHRAN -- The Tehran Municipality honored directors who made TV films and series with urban themes during a ceremony at the Mellat Cinematic Complex on Monday.

Sirus Moqaddam for his “Under Eight”, Alireza Afkhami for “Fifth Sun” and Seyyed Mohammad Avini for “Our Neighborhood” were honored for their TV series with urban themes.
At the ceremony, Piruz Kalantari was also honored for his documentary “Tehran, a Few on the Richter Scale”.
The event organized by Tehran’s Urban International Film Festival was attended by Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, the deputy mayor for cultural and social affairs Mohammad-Hadi Ayazi, Art and Cultural Organization of Tehran Municipality director Amir Khorakian and several other officials and artists.
“The artists are considered citizens and we have a responsibility toward them. We need the help of each artist especially the cineastes in urban management today,” Qalibaf mentioned at the ceremony.
He went on to say that a city needs high caliber human beings prior to construction of highways and overpasses and such a goal will be reached by establishing cultural centers in our cities.
At the ceremony, veteran actor Ezzatollah Entezami also spoke about the important role of artists in solving urban problems.
“Through their creations, the artists can help citizens develop their spiritual, mental and social awareness,” Entezami mentioned at the event.
Several cineastes including Kiumars Purahmad, Roya Teymurian, Abdorreza Kahani, Dariush Farhang, Masud Rayegan, Babak Hamidian, Malakeh Ranjbar and Amin Tarokh attended the event.
Photo: “Under Eight” director Sirus Moqaddam (R) deliver a speech after receiving an award from Tehran Deputy Mayor Mohammad-Hadi Ayazi during a ceremony, which was held to honor the cineastes promoting urban themes on March 7, 2011. (Mehr/Majid Asgaripur)