On 25 September 2014, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom was awarded the Best Film prize at the International Film Festival of Resistance, which took place from 21 to 26 September at the Milad Tower in Tehran, Iran. Other films competing for the award were the Oscar nominated No from Chile, Algeria’s 2013 Academy Award submission Zabana, African Movie Academy Awards Best Diaspora Feature nominee Tula: The Revolt and Ariel Awards winner Cinco de Mayo La Batalla. The Festival, which aims at expanding the “Culture of Resistance’, comprises of three competitive sections: ‘International Competition’, the ‘Imad Moqniyeh Award’ and the ‘Outlook of Iran’s Resistance Cinema in the World’.
The Festival’s Hossein Panahi commented, “We are privileged to have had Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom participate in the 13th International Resistance Film Festival of Iran. Mr Mandela was one of the greatest statesmen of our time and epitomised moral leadership. His story as depicted in the film is truly inspirational.’
Producer, Anant Singh said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Film award at the International Film Festival of Resistance, especially as the people of Iran as the people of Iran have a special place in their hearts for Mr. Mandela. We are pleased that we could screen Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom in a country with a rich film culture and extremely talented filmmakers and with the audience being devoted cinephiles.’
