The 18-minute Iranian animation “Bring Ten”, directed by Fatemeh Jafari, has officially been selected for the 12th Zero Plus International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Russia. The film will premiere on the opening day of the festival, held from October 5 to 12, 2025, in the city of Tyumen.
According to IBland’s news, Iranian animation continues to gain global recognition, and “Being Ten” adds to this momentum. The festival is known for celebrating meaningful, imaginative content for children and families. With a strong emphasis on universal values such as kindness, friendship, nature, and human dignity, Zero Plus Festival showcases films that uplift and educate young minds.
In this year’s edition, more than 200 films from 30 countries will compete across several categories, including feature, short, animated, documentary, and educational films; many of which will screen for the first time in Russia.
A Powerful Story of Growth and Empathy
“Being Ten” tells the story of a father and son living in an isolated forest cabin. The father, a hunter, brings a live animal home to entertain his child. What begins as a simple game soon triggers a deep emotional transformation in the boy, exploring themes of empathy and coming of age.
This Iranian animation has already earned international acclaim, winning awards at festivals such as:
- Prismatic Short Film Festival (Russia) – Best Film (Sin-Vest Section)
- Anifest Rozafa (Albania) – Special Award for Best Animation
- Tehran International Short Film Festival – Best Animation (Iran Competition)
- Isfahan International Children’s Film Festival – Golden Butterfly
- Constantine’s Golden Coin Festival (Serbia) – Third Prize
- Tehran International Animation Festival – Best Visual Design
Produced by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA), “Being Ten” continues the legacy of Iranian children’s cinema on the global stage.
Notably, the IIDCYA previously won the Grand Prize at the 8th Zero Plus Festival in 2021 with the feature film “The Ocean Behind the Window”.
Source: Mehrnews