European Film Academy

European Film Academy protests against arrest of Iranian director Jafar Panahi

The Board of the European Film Academy strongly protests against the arrest of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi and demands his immediate release.

Jafar Panahi is an internationally recognised artist and his work has been honoured at the festivals in Berlin, Cannes and Venice. Before his arrest, Panahi was denied permission to leave Iran in order to attend the 60th Berlinale as an honorary guest.

The Board of the European Film Academy encourages the EFA Members to join this protest by personal letters to the respective Iranian embassy.

Yves Marmion   Nik Powell   Volker Schlöndorff
- on behalf of the EFA Board -

Berlin, 5 March 2010