Tehran: The secretary of the International Resistance Film Festival has strongly criticized the silence of leading global film festivals regarding the crimes committed in Gaza. Announcing that 500 cinematic works on the theme of resistance have been submitted, he declared, 'Resistance cinema will be the voice of the oppressed worldwide.'

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, on Saturday, during a meeting with media activists from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and Armenia, Jalal Ghaffari highlighted the festival's four-decade activity in cinema and resistance. He emphasized that the festival is recognized as the only international event centered on 'supporting the oppressed'. He added that the festival aims to become a platform for the cries of the oppressed and stressed the importance of cinema as a cultural tool for conveying messages to the world.

Ghaffari condemned the silence of major film festivals regarding the massacre of innocent civilians in Gaza. He pointed out that in the past year, more than 50,000 women, children, and civilians have been killed in Gaza, yet no international cinematic institution has addressed these atrocities. He proudly announced that over 500 international works focusing on Gaza and resistance have been submitted to this edition of the festival.

He also criticized governments that manipulate reality through cinema, asserting that some powers responsible for crimes against humanity misuse cinema to portray themselves as victims. Through the Resistance Film Festival, they aim to create a space where the voices of the oppressed can be heard. Ghaffari concluded with hope for a future based on humanity, expressing his desire to be part of a noble human community built on kindness and justice.

Following the discussion, Esrafil Kaliji, the head of the International Committee of the Resistance Film Festival, commended the presence of media activists at Iran's National Cinema Museum. He emphasized that the concept of resistance is a high human value that must be promoted in the film industry. Kaliji stated that Resistance Cinema stands against the hegemonic system and expressed confidence that independent media worldwide will align with the right front.

Kaliji addressed international media professionals, affirming that truth-seeking journalists in the global media landscape will undoubtedly stand on the right side of history and help spread the humanitarian message of resistance worldwide.