By Honorary Reporter Hooman Namakizadeh Isfahani from Iran
Photos = Ayandeh Negar Animation Studio, Mostafa Hassanabadi, Wikimedia Commons

The 2019 animated film "Benjamin" was produced by Ayandeh Negar Animation Studio CEO Mostafa Hassanabadi in Kashan, Iran. Winning the award for best cinematic animation at the Isfahan International Film Festival for Children and Youth, the work is competing in the production character category in this year's Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival.

Slated from Oct. 1-4 in Seoul, the festival marks its 25th anniversary this year. Over the years, Iranian works have been entered in this event, showing the importance of Korea to Iranian directors and staff. Hassanabadi discussed in an interview the journey of "Benjamin" including its production and international reception.

Please introduce yourself.
I am Mustafa Hassanabadi, the producer of the animated movie "Benjamin" and CEO Of Ayandeh Negar Animated Studio. Since 2011, we have made animated movies in collaboration with four family members. After making several short films, we decided to make "Benjamin" as our first feature-length work.

Tell us more about "Benjamin."
As the first feature-length film by our studio, "Benjamin" required nearly 30 months to make. Seeing success at domestic film festivals, it is one of the most popular animated works in the history of Iranian cinema. Afterwards, the film began its world tour and earned awards from several international festivals. The Seoul festival is the last to accept our movie, and we hope that it wins an award.

What challenges and opportunities surface during production of this work?
COVID-19 has posed a major challenge for us in affecting our international screenings, but online festivals and TV have brought success for "Benjamin." The film provided a great opportunity to form international connections for us, and we built good relationships with international production and distribution groups thanks to our work.

Why did you enter your film in the Seoul festival?
The Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival is important to cartoon and animation producers as one of the world's most important events of its kind, especially in Asia. So being successful there will be a high honor for "Benjamin" and our studio.

What about the film appeals to international audiences? 

"Benjamin" has universal concepts and messages, primarily hope for the future and striving to achieve our dreams. The universal concepts expressed such as self-devotion and saving your mother can be understood by audiences around the world. 

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.