The Kashan Short Animation Investment Event has unveiled its list of finalists, marking a significant milestone for independent animators and creators across Iran.
According to IBlands News, according to the National Animation Foundation’s public relations office, a judging panel including industry professionals Mahan Aghajani, Sadegh Pejman, Kiarash Zandi, MohammadAli Safoura, and MohammadAmin Hamedani reviewed submissions and selected the standout entries. In total, 38 short films, cinematic works, and series prototypes have advanced to the next stage. These finalists will now present their projects to potential investors in hopes of securing financial backing.
Short Animation Projects
The Kashan Short Animation Investment Event features 14 artistic and experimental short animation entries that reflect a wide range of creative voices and styles:
- Elegy of Fairies; Directed by MajidReza Eyvazi
- Uncle Seddam; Directed by Ali Fatahi
- The Last Knot; Directed by Narges Zakeri
- It Was Night; Directed by Seyed Amir‑Mehdi Shaterian
- I Was Behind the Cabinet; Directed by Zahra Arabi
- When the Sky Collapsed; Directed by Omid Khosh‑Nazar
- When Mom Was Little; Directed by Seyed Mohsen PourMohseni Shakib
- Suspended; Directed by Hejire Asadi
- Cheese Idol; Directed by Voria Nik‑Manesh
- In Search of Aslani; Directed by Ramak AmirKazemi
- The Other Side; Directed by Ameneh Monshi‑Zadeh & Afsaneh AzizMohammadi
- Bird of Wishes; Directed by Ziba Arzhang
- Memory; Directed by Saeed Maddi‑Mahani
- Mitchka; Directed by Mina Mahmoudi
These works highlight the creative diversity within the Iranian animation community and demonstrate emerging voices in experimental storytelling.
Series Prototypes
A number of series concepts have also progressed in the Kashan Short Animation Investment Event, representing episodic animation formats with strong narrative potential:
- Shabzad; Directed by Kiavash Jahed‑Parsa
- Little Star; Directed by Mohammad‑Ali Basiri‑Nik
- Banoono; Directed by Masoud Zamani
- Shatoot; Directed by Narges Fazeli
- Hero’s Seven Labors; By Seyed Mostafa Hosseini
- Dali; Directed by Davood Khormanzar
- Gagolia; Directed by Mohammad Hossein Salimian‑Rizi
- King Plus; Directed by Mehrdad Khorsandi
- Taxi Maxy; Directed by Ayat Naderi
- The Story of a Particle; Directed by Reyhaneh Yousef‑Abadi
- Buddy Land; Directed by Mohammad‑Ali Basiri‑Nik
- High Five and Shining Jungle; Directed by Hossein Valian
- Hussain’s Pilgrim Rest House; Directed by Elias Eidi
These series projects bring various genres and themes to the spotlight, from fantasy and adventure to slice‑of‑life storytelling.
Cinematic Works
The remaining selections for the Kashan Short Animation Investment Event include cinematic animation proposals that blend narrative depth with ambitious visual ideas:
- Anahita; Directed by Ashkan Rahgozar
- Little Guardians; Directed by Khashayar Alvand
- Forbidden Land; Directed by Mehdi Khoroushi
- Najma; Directed by Mohammad Hossein Alamdari
- I Was Not Afraid of Anything; By Sadegh Rouhi
- The Dwarves and the Lost City; By MirAli Hosseini‑Asli
- Samak Ayar; Directed by Farrokh Yekdaneh
- The Almost Strange Adventures of Paya; Directed by Masoud Zamani
- Calm (In the Circus of Wonders); Directed by Mohammad Kheirandish
- Hero Robot; Directed by Mohsen Enayati
These projects showcase a range of storytelling ambitions and animation techniques in the short and feature format.
Event Details
The Kashan Short Animation Investment Event will take place from December 14 to 16, 2025, in Kashan, bringing together creators, industry experts, and potential investors. Finalists will pitch their projects in person, aiming to secure the funding needed to bring their animated visions to life.
Source: Mehrnews