Iran Bans Film Festival After A Poster Features Actor Without Hijab

Iranian authorities banned a film festival on Saturday, July 22, after it released a promotional poster featuring an actress without wearing the hijab.

As reported by the state news agency IRNA, the culture minister personally issued the order to ban the 13th edition of the ISFA Film Festival due to the use of a photo depicting a woman without a hijab on the poster, which was deemed to violate the law.

Details Of The Ban

The ban was imposed following the release of a poster by the Iranian Short Film Association (ISFA) for its upcoming Short Film Festival, which featured Iranian actress Susan Taslimi from the 1982 film "The Death of Yazdguerd."

According to the state news agency IRNA, the culture minister personally ordered the prohibition of the 13th edition of the ISFA Film Festival due to the use of a photo depicting a woman without a hijab on the poster, which violated the law. Initially scheduled for September, the festival was set to take place during that time.

Hijab Laws Across Iran

Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, wearing a hijab, which covers the head and neck, has been mandatory for women in Iran, enforced in 1983. Nevertheless, Iranian women have been defying the stringent dress code more frequently, especially after mass protests emerged last September, demanding an end to the compulsory hijab.

The protests, lasting for months, were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, Mahsa Amini. She had been arrested by the morality police, accused of violating the strict Islamic dress code.

Another Arrest For 'No Hijab'

On Wednesday, prominent Iranian actress Afsaneh Bayegan received a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended for five years. The sentence was given for wearing a hat and not adhering to the hijab law.

Additionally, the court also mandated that the 61-year-old actress must undergo weekly visits to a psychological centre for treatment, citing a supposed "anti-family personality" mental disorder, and she is required to submit a health certificate after the treatment.

As part of the verdict, Bayegan is prohibited from using social media and from leaving the country for a period of two years. This judgment came after the actress attended a movie ceremony without wearing a headscarf and later shared photos of the event on social media.

Suggested Reading: Not Enough At Any Age: Women And Their Constant Struggle With Biases