"Presence in international events in one of the key parts of Iran's national cinema and enjoys an imoirtant place in the policy of the country's cinema management," COI director Mohammad Khazaei said in a press release.

He noted that COI will soon announce "clear and transparent regulations" that feature the organization's policy in the international arena.

He said that films produced by the private sector in the country have ignored the regulations  in their screening at international festivals.

"Based on the regulations, the films must obtain a screening license [from the COI] for any form of presence in foreign festivals," he added.

Khazaei warned that in case of any violation of the regulations, filmmakers would face obstacles to screen their films in the country and to make their next film.

"It's not gook that an Iranian film misses its public premiere and streaming by VOD platforms for a screening in a foreign festival," he said.

Based  on the law, Iranian producer and filmmakers must obtain a production license from COI's Supervision and Evaluatin Office to launch a project, They also must receive a screening license after completing their project.

Internationl festivals across the world are often interested in screening films from Iran's independent cinema.

Traditionally, Iranian cultural officials believe that the independent Iranian films do not present a positive image of the country at the foreign festivals, and the organizers award the films for such an attitude.

Meanwhile, Saeid Rustai's latest drama ''Leila's Brothers" starring Taraneh Alidoosti and Payman Maadi will be contending for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Canners Film Festival, which will take place from May 17 to 28.

In addition, the Iranian drama "Imagine" will be screened in the 61st edition of La Semaine de la Critique - Cannes Critics' Week, which will be held in Cannes from May 18 to 26 during the Cannes Film Festival.

Source:Tehran Times