TEHRAN-Five Iranian short movies have won Remi Award at the 57th edition of the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, which is currently underway in the U.S. city. 

Among the award winners are "Apollo" by Farzad Ranjbar and "Nowhere" by Erfan Parsapour.

"Apollo" follows Farhad, who has just one hour of optimal lighting to capture the final scene of his life's work. Despite facing challenges like difficult actors, an irate landlord, and escalating marital problems, will he be able to successfully complete his film?

"Nowhere" narrates the tale of a young couple who come to the realization that they have emotionally drifted apart, despite sharing a small apartment together.

Additionally, "The Blind Cases" by Amir Ahmad Ansari, "Somewhere Without Sadness" by Farid Haji and "Totem Night" co-directed by Negin Kamran and Hana Aziminia were also honored with Remi Awards.

These award-winning films will be featured in various sections of the festival, which runs until April 28.

Founded over 60 years ago, WorldFest started as Cinema Arts in August 1961, becoming the third competitive international film festival in North America after San Francisco and New York. It has since evolved into the oldest Independent Film & Video Festival globally, beginning its competitive journey in April 1968.

Founded by acclaimed producer and director Hunter Todd, WorldFest aims to provide a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work. With over 115 international awards for film production, Todd has played various roles in numerous motion picture and video productions. As the longest-running Film Festival Director, Todd has also been a jury member at more than 25 film festivals worldwide.

WorldFest's mission is to recognize and honor creative excellence in film and video, promote cultural tourism in Houston, support local film production, and enrich the city's cultural landscape. With a staff composed entirely of filmmakers, WorldFest stands as one of the world's largest film and video competitions, receiving over 4,300 entries from 70 nations in 2023. Unlike other major festivals, WorldFest features ten competitions in one event, showcasing a diverse range of categories.

SAB/