90-year-old poet Hushang Ebtehaj, who writes under the pseudonym Sayeh, and U.S.-based, celebrated director and playwright Bahram Beizai were among the honorees.

However, they could not attend the award ceremony held at the gallery of Tehran’s Mellat Cineplex.

Director Tina Pakravan received the award on behalf of Beizai, bemoaning that Beizai is not in his homeland anymore.

Painter Hossein Mahjubi and cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh were other artists who received the honor at the festival.

The festival was established in 2013 by the Iran Art for Peace Group, an independent ensemble led by graphic designer Fereidun Farbud.

“Imagine Peace” and “We all Want World Peace” are the main slogans of the festival.

Source: Tehran Times