Our Missions
The Persian Film Festival Australia (PFFA) is an annual competitive film festival dedicated to showcasing works by Iranian and Persian-speaking filmmakers from around the world. The festival typically takes place over ten days between April and May, presenting a curated selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films. Several awards are presented, including the Golden Gazelle Award for Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, and Best Short Film.
PFFA showcases an uncensored and carefully curated selection of features, documentaries, and short films. The festival offers Australian audiences a rare and enriching opportunity to engage with captivating stories from one of the world’s most esteemed cinematic traditions – films that might not otherwise reach Australian screens.
Program Strands
PFFA is presented in cinemas across Australia and has the following sections:
Official Selection: a selection of quality films by persian-speaking filmmakers from around the globe
Special Events: A series of gala events including red-carpet ceremonies, Q&As and discussions with local and international emerging and prominent filmmakers
National Tour: Touring to major Australian capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth)
Academic Program: Panel discussions with keynote speakers and academics on specific themes related to Persian cinema in partnership with universities and film institutions
Awards Program: Presenting the Golden Gazelle Award for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film and Best Documentary Film by a panel of jury made up of Australian filmmakers and screen industry practitioners
Festival Team
Executive
Dr Amin Palangi – Festival Director
Amin Palangi is an award-winning filmmaker and the founding director of the Persian Film Festival in Australia. Since establishing the festival in 2011, he has curated and led its growth into a nationally recognised platform that celebrates Persian cinema and fosters cultural exchange through film. Under his direction, the festival has brought acclaimed filmmakers and emerging voices to Australian audiences, strengthening connections between Australia and the global Persian community.
Alongside his festival work, Amin is an accomplished filmmaker whose debut feature documentary Love Marriage in Kabul won the Audience Award at the Sydney Film Festival and Best Direction from the Australian Directors’ Guild, screening in over twenty-six countries. His recent feature film Tennessine (2023) premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and was nominated for Best Direction at the ADG Awards before its national cinema release.
Amin has also served as a jury member for major festivals including the Sydney Film Festival and Antenna Documentary Film Festival, and as a member of the Screen NSW Film and Television Industry Advisory Committee. He lectures in screen production at UNSW and directing at AFTRS, continuing to nurture the next generation of storytellers.
Through both his filmmaking and festival leadership, Amin is dedicated to creating spaces where diverse stories are shared, celebrated, and given the chance to reach wider audiences.
Programming
Dr Amin Palangi – Head of Programs
Saeed Sourati – Short Films
Dr Hadi Nojoumian – Regional Program
Marketing & Communications
Nafiseh Dadgar – Marketing Manager
Hamed Ebrahimi – Public Relations
Bita Ghanbari – Content
Ali Famori – Design
Events & Operations
Sana Shariflour – Program Manager
Shahnaz Pourasadi – Event Manager (MEL)
Partnerships
Hamed Ebrahimi – Partnerships (SYD)
Fereshteh Lajevardi – Partnerships (MEL)
Operational Profile
Palangi Productions Pty Ltd manages the Persian Film Festival Australia program and is committed to delivering a high-quality cultural event. Palangi Productions Pty Ltd holds ultimate responsibility for all management and curatorial decisions concerning PFFA and retains the copyright and intellectual property of materials generated for this project (unless otherwise agreed with individuals or groups contracted or engaged by PFFA to produce IP for the project).
Palangi Productions Pty Ltd is the entity that enters into contracts with all stakeholders, partners and employees and is legally and financially responsible for this project.
