The Ark Gate International Film Festival is proud to announce the Best Film of its 5th edition:
THE BLAME SILENCE
Brazil
Director: Israel Cordova
A powerful and deeply atmospheric work, The Blame Silence tells the story of Mauro, a rural farmer who, after his father’s death, is confronted with a freedom he never dared to embrace. Torn between guilt and desire, he faces his fears in a journey toward accepting who he truly is.
The film distinguished itself through its subtle storytelling, emotional precision, and its sensitive exploration of identity, silence, and liberation.
About the Director:
Israel Cordova, a 26-year-old LGBTQIA+ filmmaker based in Brasília, Brazil, leads Ozara Filmes and works across directing, executive production, and cinematography. His filmmaking is defined by a human, realistic, and conflict-driven approach that brings clarity, depth, and honesty to the screen.
The festival congratulates Israel Cordova and the entire team behind The Blame Silence for this outstanding achievement.
We look forward to sharing more groundbreaking films in the years to come and continuing to support visionary filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic expression
The Ark Gate International Film Festival proudly announces the Official Selection of its 5th edition (AGIFF 2025) — a celebration of artistic courage, independent storytelling, and global creativity.
After receiving an outstanding number of submissions from around the world, eight films have been officially selected to be part of this year’s program. These works represent bold cinematic voices and diverse perspectives that align with the festival’s mission to highlight stories that move, challenge, and inspire audiences.
Official Selection – AGIFF 2025
1. CARTAPESTA: CARNIVAL OF FANO-THE MOVIE (Italy)
2. EVA (Bulgaria)
3. IN OUT (Lebanon)
4. IN THEIR OWN TIME (India)
5. I WON’T CRY TOMORROW (Egypt)
6. THE BLAME SILENCE (Brazil)
7. THE FIRST MAN – EUGENE O’NEILL’S (United States)
8. THE SHELL (Portugal)
We extend our warmest congratulations to all selected filmmakers and express our gratitude to every artist who submitted their work.
The 5th ARK GATE International Film Festival invites you to celebrate these remarkable stories and the filmmakers who continue to redefine the language of cinema.
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 moment we’ve all been eagerly awaiting has finally arrived. After days of exceptional films, thought-provoking narratives, and breathtaking cinematography, it’s time to celebrate the talented filmmakers who have captivated us all at the AGIFF Film Festival. This year, we took a unique approach by putting the power of judgment in the hands of the true connoisseurs of cinema—the audience. With their discerning taste and valuable votes, they have selected the winners who have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.
🏆 BEST ACTOR:
In the category of Best Actress, we applaud “Nika Shahnazzadeh” for their extraordinary performance in “The Untouchable“, directed by “Avazeh Shahnavaz” from “Iran”.
With their exceptional talent and dedication, they have brought their character to life, captivating audiences and delivering a truly memorable portrayal.
We only have one actor winner because we don’t differentiate between genders.
🏆 BEST SCREENPLAY:
The award for Best Screenplay goes to “Sharon Yaish and Golan Rise” for their outstanding writing in “Lost Angeles“, directed by “Sharon Yaish and Golan Rise” from “Israel”.
Their skillful storytelling, compelling dialogue, and masterful characterization have elevated the art of screenwriting and enriched the overall cinematic experience.
🏆 BEST DIRECTOR:
The award for Best Director goes to “Onur Yagiz” for their exceptional work in “Fatih the Conqueror” from “France”.
Their visionary storytelling, meticulous direction, and profound understanding of the craft have resulted in a cinematic masterpiece that leaves a lasting impact.
🏆 BEST FILM:
Finally, the prestigious award for Best Film is bestowed upon “Van Gogh in Love“, directed and produced by “Jean Luc AYACH”.
This remarkable production has touched the hearts and minds of viewers with its captivating narrative, brilliant performances, and artistic excellence.
We congratulate all the winners for their exceptional achievements in their respective categories. Your creativity, talent, and dedication have contributed to the magic of cinema and have left an indelible mark on the festival and its audience.
We would also like to express our gratitude to all the filmmakers, producers, and the entire cast and crew involved in the creation of these outstanding films. Your passion, hard work, and artistic vision have made this festival a resounding success.
As we celebrate these achievements, let us remember that the power of storytelling knows no boundaries and transcends all distinctions. We honor the talent and dedication of all filmmakers, regardless of gender, and recognize the invaluable contributions they make to the world of cinema.
Thank you to the audience, who played the crucial role of jury by voting for their favorite films. Your participation and enthusiasm have made this festival a true celebration of the art of filmmaking.
Once again, congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to another incredible edition of the AGIFF Film Festival in the future! 🎥✨
Please visit the gallery to view the pictures of the festival.
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!
