The KOMESH International Independent Film Festival was born out of the shared concerns of a small group of filmmakers and enthusiasts of independent cinema in the historic region of Komesh (Semnan Province, Iran). We have founded this festival not as a large commercial event, but as an independent initiative aimed at creating a space for the screening, introduction, and support of films that often have fewer opportunities to be seen. We believe that cinema is not merely a form of entertainment; rather, it can serve as a guardian of cultural memory, languages, dialects, rituals, traditions, and the ways of life of human societies. For this reason, the KOMESH Festival welcomes works that engage with people's lives, indigenous cultures, intangible heritage, local identities, and human experiences, created with an independent and creative vision.

The KOMESH Festival is a home for independent films—works produced outside purely commercial frameworks, and which prioritize artistic expression, the filmmaker's personal vision, and cultural and human concerns. At the same time, the festival does not support works that promote extreme violence or any content contrary to ethical and human values. In addition to its film sections, the festival also includes a section dedicated to independent cinema research and studies. This section aims to expand scientific and theoretical discourse on independent cinema and welcomes essays, research papers, critiques, and analytical studies related to film and cinema. We believe that the development of independent cinema is not possible through film production alone, but also requires the advancement of knowledge, criticism, and research.

All submissions are reviewed by the festival's jury and expert panel, and awards and certificates of recognition are presented to selected works and artists. Although our resources are limited, we strive—with sincerity, respect, and professional commitment—to provide a meaningful space for filmmakers, researchers, and lovers of independent cinema.

The KOMESH International Independent Film Festival is an invitation to filmmakers who wish to share their authentic, human, and cultural narratives with audiences, and to contribute—through the art of cinema—to the preservation of cultural diversity and local identities.