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Hosseinpour wins top prize at Toronto Nollywood festival
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Thursday, September 25, 2025
Toronto – Iranian filmmaker Ramin Hosseinpour has won the Special Jury Award and the Best Short Documentary trophy at the 9th Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), held from September 6 to 13 in Canada.
His short documentary Sculpture was nominated in both directing and documentary categories, earning Hosseinpour his second major international recognition this year, according to Iran Daily.
TINFF, recognized as a qualifying festival for the Canadian Screen Awards, is considered one of North America’s leading showcases for independent cinema. Hosseinpour was also invited to join the festival’s international industry panel, with organizers highlighting his “growing stature” on the global circuit.
The film remains eligible for the 2026 Academy Awards in the United States, Britain’s BAFTAs, and the Canadian Screen Awards.
Hosseinpour is currently working on The Pretender, a short film exploring the life and philosophy of medieval Persian poet and mystic Attar. The director, who is also an architect and composer, has said his multi-disciplinary practice shapes a “distinctive path” in contemporary documentary filmmaking.
Festival jurors praised Sculpture for its “artistry” and “conceptual depth,” calling it another step forward for Iranian non-fiction cinema on the international stage.
Iran Daily — September 25, 2025
