The Iranian short animated film “In the Shadow of Cypress,” co-directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, has secured two prestigious silver awards at the 12th Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology (PFCAT), held in the U.S. from August 21 to 25.
Produced by the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (Kanoon), the film won accolades in the categories of Best 2D Animated Short and Best Score in a Short Animation, as reported by the Kanoon website.
Released in 2023, “In the Shadow of Cypress” tells the poignant story of a former sea captain suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, living in seclusion with his daughter in a small house by the sea. Their isolated existence takes a dramatic turn when an unexpected event disrupts their lives.
The animation has already garnered three significant international awards from Academy Award-Qualifying Festivals, further establishing its global recognition.
Founded in 2002, the Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology aims to spotlight visionary films that may have been overlooked by mainstream festivals. Originally known as The International Festival of Cinema & Technology (IFCT), the event was rebranded in 2022 to align with its new location in Portland. The festival is celebrated for embracing cutting-edge technology in filmmaking and features over 150 film screenings, alongside networking events, panel discussions, and special screenings at the Kendall Planetarium.
