ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 4th ARK FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2024

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 4th ARK FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2024

The 4th Ark Gate International Film Festival took place in Montreal from November 27 to December 1, 2024, returning to the city after two editions in Toronto. Over 300 films were submitted to the festival, which celebrated diverse voices in global cinema. The Ark Gate International Film Festival continues to serve as a platform for amplifying international voices and fostering dialogue through cinema.

The final day, December 1, featured the closing ceremony, during which the audience-selected “A Mother Youngsoon”, directed by Lee Chang-jun from South Korea, was awarded Best Film of the Festival.
The festival was honored by the participation of the Consulate General of Serbia in Montreal, who attended in support of Serbian filmmaker Danilo Stanimirovic. Their presence highlighted the strong connection between the arts and diplomacy.

The closing ceremony was followed by a dinner party.

We extend our gratitude to all filmmakers, participants, and supporters who made this festival a memorable event. A special thanks to Concordia University, the Consulate of Serbia in Montreal, Shirkhodai Real Estate Group, and Orchidée Restaurant for their generous contributions.

 

The Selected Films of the 4th ARK GATE International Films Festival 2024

The Selected Films of the 4th ARK GATE International Films Festival 2024

The moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! The fourth edition of the “ARK GATE International Films Festival” proudly announces its selected films. After reviewing hundreds of entries from around the world, we’ve chosen the very best for you. Are you ready to join us and discover the most exciting independent cinema? Here it is—the list of selected films:

1. As Easy As Closing Your Eyes – USA

2. A Mother Youngsoon – Korea Republic

3. 5/3/0 – Serbia

4. We Will Not Fade Away – Ukraine

5. Deadly Draw – Spain

6. My Swiss Grey – Switzerland

7. The Java Plum Tree – Pakistan

 

The Second International Film Festival of ARK GATE FILMS ended after five days with the awarding of awards in various fields!

The Second International Film Festival of ARK GATE FILMS ended after five days with the awarding of awards in various fields!

This festival  was managed by Iranian director Abdolreza Kahani from June 29 to July 3 in Toronto and was held outdoors!

The award for the Best Short Film was awarded to a film from TURKEY “LIFELINE”, directed by: ABDULLAH ŞAHIN, produced by: ABDULLAH ŞAHIN and HALIL KARDAŞ

The Audience award was given to a film from IRAN “BEFORE DARKNESS”, directed by: MOSAYEB HANAEI, produced by: FARIBA KESHAVARZI

In the section of STUDENT Films, which is the most important part of the festival, prizes were awarded to the winners as follows;

The Best Movie for the film “FIVE BIG MACS FOR SALVATION”
produced and directed by: SEPIDAR VALIYAN
(CANADA)

The Best Director Goes to “DARYOUSH BAHALOU and KAMYAR RAHNAMA RAAD”
for the film INSEPERABLE
produced by Ark Gate Films, Mina Rafiei
(CANADA)

The best actor Goes to “NIMA SADRZADEH”
for the film THE CORRIDOR
directed by Amir Zavosh
produced by Ark Gate Films, Mina Rafiei
(CANADA)

The Best screenplay goes to “EHSAN SHAHINDOUST”
for the film THE CORRIDOR
directed by Amir Zavosh
produced by Ark Gate Films, Mina Rafiei
(CANADA)

The winners of each section were awarded the with ARKAB statue, and the special award of the festival went to the young actor Janan Khajehasani!

In this festival, feature films and documentaries have been screened in the out-of-competition section!

Selected Films for the Second AGIFF Festival

Selected Films for the Second AGIFF Festival

The festival opens on June 29 and ends on July 3 with a selection of the best.
35 films will be screened in three sections and the statue (Arkab) will be awarded to the best.
The AGIFF Festival is held outdoors and includes the red carpet, workshops, review sessions and film screenings.
The director of the festival is Abdolreza Kahani, an Iranian director who has established the festival to screen films with free thought. Abdolreza Kahani, who has won prestigious awards at international festivals, left Iran after his films were banned and censored.

Find your festival card here

 

 

Short Film:
1- SCARF
MARJAN SAFABAKHSH
2- ADAPT
KAMAL KACHOOEIAN
3- DABUR
SAEID NEJATI
4- INERT
ERFAN MALEK HOSEINI
5- WARCELONA
VALI KARIMNIA
6- TIDE
PEDRAM MEHRKHAH
7- BRUISED
ALI TAVAKOLI
8- BEFORE DARKNESS
MOSAYEB HANAEI
9- LIFELINE
ABDOLLAH Sahin
10- MOTHER
SINA & SOHEIL NAZARI
11- CONDEMNED
MOHAMMAD YOUSEFI
12- THE HIRED HAND
MOHAMMAD REZA KESHAVARI
13- SYNTHESIS
MOHAMMAD TOWRIRARIAN
14- VOICES IN THE WAVES
NAVID ZARE
15- POLAR BEAR CLIMATE CHANGE
MILAD MOTAHARI

Student Short Film:
1- MRS. SOTOODEH
SAHRA VARYANI
CANADA
2- OVERDUE
YASSIN NOUR
CANADA
3- 7th BIRTHDAY
SHOLEH LAJEVARDI
CANADA
4- INSEPAEABLE
DARIUSH BAHALOU & KAMYAR RAHNEMARAD
CANADA
5- NOT MY PRESIDENT
ARVIN ZOKAEI
CANADA
6- DEORESSED CHICKEN
ELNAZ ZARSAZAN
CANADA
7- MAMI
NAJMEH TANSAZ
CANADA
8- THE CORRIDOR
AMIR ZAVOSH
CANADA
9- THAT FRIEND
SAHRA VARYANI
CANADA
10- THE ISLANDERS
NAOMI BAKER
CANADA
11- BIRTHDAY 2022
PARMIS TABARI
CANADA
12- 5 BIG MACS FOR SALVATION
SEPIDAR VALYAN
CANADA
13- THESE THREE PEOPLE
NAVID EDALATI FARD
CANADA
14- GREY HAZE
KIMIA MOTEVALLI
CANADA
15- ON THE MOON
MEHDI ESLAMPOUR
CANADA
16- THE MOTHERS
MARYAM SALAMAT
BELGIUM
17- THE PRIVET AREA
AMINEH SOMEH
UNITED STATES
18- MIREYITA
ORANGEL LUGO
BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC
19- AT YOUR SERVIS
TIME WORK
NEDERLAND
20- DEADHEAD
AHMAD NASROLAHI
ITALY
21- DAMNOOSH
BEHNAZ SHOAR
GERMANY

PROJECTION SPECIALE:
1- DELITHED
ABDOLREZA KAHANI
IRAN
2- I AM HERE
ALLEN FOROUHAR
CANADA

The ARK GATE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM Festival has joined with FILMFREEWAY!

The ARK GATE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM Festival has joined with FILMFREEWAY!

The ARK GATE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM Festival has joined with FILMFREEWAY! Global Film Registrations will start on February the 1st.

The festival is held annually, on dates June 29 to July 3 in Toronto with the presence of famous Iranian director and festival founder Abdolreza Kahani for 5 days in different settings, all dedicated to independent films with free themes and also to stand against censorship.

The first edition of the festival was held last summer and it’s second is upcoming this year.

Selected films will be screened outdoors and on the big screen at night, other activities will be held in the afternoon including the red carpet, the film market, workshops and celebrations.

The festival prizes “Crystal Arkab” will be awarded to the Best Acting, Best Directing, Best Screenplay and Best Film.

In the acting category, women are judged alongside men and only one person is awarded.