'Piano' and 'Jiroft' Screenings Continue;
Italian Festival Honors 'Piano'
Over the past few months, the short animations “Piano” and “Jiroft, produced by DEFC, have made numerous international appearances, and their screenings continue.
As reported by the Public Relations Department of Documentary, Experimental & Animation Film Center of Iran (DEFC), the short animation “Piano” by Marjan Keshani and Shahab Shamsi, recieved an honorable mention at the 7th AmiCorti International Film Festival, held June 2–7, 2026, in Roccaraso, Italy.
Founded in 2019, the AmiCorti International Film Festival is an independent, socially engaged event that marked its 7th edition in 2025. Held in the stunning mountain town of Roccaraso, Italy, the festival takes place at the historic Cinema Roma.
“Piano” is a 7-minute animation that explores the themes of poverty and the hardships of life. It tells the story of someone who dreams of buying a Piano but their dream is shattered when a war erupts, leaving them struggling to acquire even the most basic necessities of life.
Additionally, “Jiroft” by Marjan Keshani won the Audience Award for Best Iranian Film at the 19th Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (PJIFF) in the United States.
Running from April 9-16, 2025, the festival’s mission is to educate people of all ages about filmmaking, encouraging them to find their voice through film, and fostering a strong sense of community around the art of visual storytelling.
“Piano”, directed by Marjan Keshani and Shahab Shamsi, was also screened at 17-th International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films. With the motto “By humanism to peace and friendship,” this biennial festival, organized by the Bulgarian Red Cross, will be held from June 12 to 20, 2025, in Varna, Bulgaria. It serves as a growing platform for spreading humanitarian and cultural values through film.
“The Piano” was also screened at the 4th Animatiba International Animation Festival in Curitiba, Brazil, held in May 2025. Animatiba is a biennial festival that began in 2019 and recently celebrated its fourth edition.
Piano and Jiroft are two productions of the Documentary, Experimental & Animation Film Center of Iran (DEFC).
