The 11th edition of Iran’s Best Works in Dramatic Literature concluded with a ceremony at the Iranian Artists Forum, coinciding with the National Playwright’s Day, where the winners were announced and celebrated.
The event on Friday, December 26, 2025 (5th of Dey 1404) was attended by Reza Mardani, Director General of Performing Arts at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Alireza Gilvari, CEO of the House of Theater, Saeed Asadi, CEO of the Performing Arts Association, along with renowned artists including Esmaeil Khalaj, Behzad Farahani, Iraj Rad, Reza Babak, Abbas Jahangirian, Majid Ghanad, Bahram Ebrahimi, Shahram Zargar, Davood Kianiān, and the festival secretary Rahim Rashidi-Tabar. The ceremony was hosted by Farshid Gholipour in the Ostad Shahnaz Hall.
Honoring the Craft of Playwriting
The evening began with a short clip highlighting the activities of the Playwrights and Translators’ Circle of the House of Theater.
Farshid Gholipour, the host and board member of the Circle, commemorated the birthdays and legacies of Bahram Beyzai and the late Akbar Radi, emphasizing the significance of the festival:
“This event is one of the most important initiatives of the Playwrights and Translators’ Circle, and after a hiatus, this year marks its 11th edition. New sections for puppetry, children and youth theater, and an academic academy have been added, and we hope this growth continues, expanding the festival across all areas of dramatic literature.”
Establishing a Play Bank
Aram Mohaziri, Chair of the Circle, explained that members have been actively involved in both union activities and theater productions over the past year. He announced plans to establish a National Play Bank, which will soon allow playwrights to legally register and protect their works.
Playwriting in Iran: Alive and Thriving
Festival secretary Rahim Rashidi-Tabar reflected on the challenges faced during the year, noting that the call for submissions coincided with the outbreak of war, fires, and political turmoil:
“We wondered if anyone would even consider submitting works amid such chaos, but to our surprise, playwrights sent in their plays. It was heartening—they believed in the power of words and creativity. The sheer number of submissions exceeded expectations, covering both personal and social concerns, proving that Iranian playwriting is alive, dynamic, and reaching for new horizons.”
Rashidi-Tabar emphasized that the juries worked meticulously and with respect for diverse perspectives, noting:
“Every selection reflects only a part of the truth. Our guiding principles have been justice and transparency. I salute all participating playwrights and translators; every submitted work contributes to the tapestry of contemporary Iranian dramatic literature.”
He expressed hope that this edition would inspire even bolder, more rooted works that illuminate the future of Iranian theater.
Launching the Playwrights’ Academy
Seyed Hassan Hosseini, executive secretary of the new Playwrights’ Academy, described the addition of this academic section:
“The Academy introduces a structured, transparent, and collective approach to evaluating works. This year, 45 volunteer jurors from the Playwrights’ and Translators’ Circle reviewed 77 plays. All works were anonymized to ensure impartiality, making this a milestone in Iranian playwriting evaluation.”
Hossein noted that while this model is still developing, it has the potential to become a cornerstone of the Circle’s activities, promoting knowledge, responsibility, and collaboration.
Winners Across Categories
Children & Youth Plays
- Special Mention: Raheleh Shamsabadi (The Legend of the Blue Flowers)
- Winner: Sajjad Tahmasbi (Pinocchio Becomes a Father)
- Lifetime Achievement: Davood Kianiān – honored for decades of dedication to children’s and youth theater
Puppetry Plays
- Special Mentions: Amin Reza Malek-Mahmoudi (Operation Semi-Coat) and Pouya Pourhosseinlou (My House is Yellow, Autumn Falls)
- Winners: Shilan Salah (Lili and the Lullala Dress), Roozbeh Hosseini (As the Innocent Lamb’s Last Breath)
Translated Published Plays
- Mentions: Elnaz Hoghoughi (Orchid on Judgment Day) and Hamid Dashti (Pitchfork Disney)
- Winner: Meghdad Javidsebaghian (Orestes) – donated the prize to Damghan Dramatic Literature students
Original Published Plays
- Mentions: Mohammadreza Arianfar (Several Variable Reports of Multiple Murders), Gholamhossein Dolatabadi (Plate 36), Mehdi Akbari (I Will Go Quietly)
- Winner: Reza Behkam (Motherless Paris)
Original Plays for Youth
- Mention: Vahid Kiarasi
- Winner: Saeed Mohseni (The Orange Seller Has Been Found)
Performed Plays of 2024 (1403)
- Mentions: Mansour Kamkar (The Tyrant King), Kamran Shahlaei (Falesh)
- Winner: Kahbod Taraj (Gholamreza Labkhandi)
Playwrights’ Academy Section
- Mentions: Farbod Aghidmand Elahi (Lotus), Mohammadreza Kohestani (Next to the Czars), Mehdi Hemmati (Black and Stripes)
- Winner: Milad Hosseini (The Soren Family)
Honoring Lifetime Achievement: Shahram Zargar
A special tribute celebrated Shahram Zargar, highlighting his decades-long contributions as a translator, writer, teacher, and actor. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award for dedication to Iranian dramatic literature and fostering connections among theater practitioners. Zargar thanked the organizers warmly, noting his appreciation for being recognized among peers.
Majid Ghanad, vice president of the House of Theater, remarked:
“Although the ceremony lasted only a few hours, months of work went into organizing it. This festival is particularly meaningful for those working in children’s theater, as it honors our elders and reminds us that theater can soothe the heart in challenging times.”
The evening also featured clips of the judging process and live piano performances by Saeed Zehni.
The 11th Selection of Best Works in Iranian Dramatic Literature marked a significant step in supporting the creation, translation, and performance of Iranian plays, while emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and professional development in the country’s dramatic arts.
