The Koker International Short Film Festival is an international platform dedicated to celebrating the art of short filmmaking and fostering cultural dialogue through cinema. The festival brings together filmmakers, artists, students, and audiences from around the world, creating a space for artistic exchange, and the discovery of new cinematic voices.
Founded and directed by Hamed Soleimanzadeh, the festival is committed to supporting independent cinema and emerging filmmakers while promoting works that demonstrate originality, creativity, and a profound engagement with the human experience. Through screenings, workshops, panel discussions, and international collaborations, the festival seeks to strengthen connections between filmmakers and audiences across cultures and borders.
The festival was held during its first two editions under the name (Abbas Kiarostami International Short Film Festival). Beginning with its third edition, it was renamed the (Koker International Short Film Festival), reflecting a broader cultural and cinematic identity while continuing to honor the artistic values and humanistic vision associated with the legacy of Abbas Kiarostami.
The name (Koker) holds a special place in the history of world cinema. Koker is a village in northern Iran that became internationally known through the films of Abbas Kiarostami, most notably (Where Is the Friend’s House?), (And Life Goes On), and (Through the Olive Trees). Over time, Koker evolved into a symbol of poetic cinema, human resilience, simplicity, and the deep connection between people, landscape, and storytelling. By adopting the name Koker, the festival embraces these universal values and its commitment to cinema that is rooted in humanity, authenticity, and artistic exploration.
The festival maintains a close collaboration with the Abbas Kiarostami Foundation and shares its commitment to cultural exchange, and the support of independent filmmakers. Through this collaboration, the festival contributes to preserving and extending the educational and artistic spirit that has inspired generations of filmmakers around the world.
Today, the Koker International Short Film Festival continues to serve as a meeting point for diverse cinematic voices, encouraging dialogue, creativity, and international cooperation while celebrating the transformative power of short films as a universal artistic language.