The Berlinale Film Festival issued a statement after learning that Iranian writers/directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha have been banned from travelling, have had their passports confiscated, and face a court trial concerning their work as artists and filmmakers.
“The Berlinale is a festival fundamentally committed to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the arts, for all people around the world, and the festival is shocked and dismayed to learn that Moghaddam and Sanaeeha could be prevented from travelling to the festival to present their film and meet their audience in Berlin,” read the statement.
Earlier this month, the Berlinale announced the selection of the Iranian film “My Favourite Cake” by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha in Competition at this year’s 74th edition of the festival.
The Berlinale Directors Carlo Chatrian und Mariëtte Rissenbeek called Iranian authorities for the return of passports and to end all restrictions preventing Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha from freely traveling to Berlin this February and becoming part of the Berlinale’s 2024 Competition.
Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha’s previous film ‘Ballad of a White Cow’ was presented in Competition at the 2021 Berlinale, emerging as an audience favourite in public voting that year.
My Favourite Cake was supported by the Berlinale’s World Cinema Fund, and before this was developed as a project through the Berlinale when it participated in the 2020 Berlinale Co-Production Market, where it was recognised with the prestigious Eurimages Co-Production Development Award.
“Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha share a long and rich history with the Berlinale, and must be allowed to return to Berlin this February,” said the statement.
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