Tehran, Dec 9, IRNA - The winners of the first edition of the Gol Aqa Comedy Film Festival, named after the satirical magazine established by the late Kiumars Saberi, have been announced.

The ceremony held at the Honar Cultural Center began with the screening of a music video commemorating the late Saberi.

Afterwards, tribute was paid in his absence to Firuz Karimi, the new manager of Tehran's Esteqlal football team, for his talent at bringing together sports and satire.

A special tribute was also paid to Iranian veteran actor Morteza Ahmadi who received a plaque of honor from actor Ezzatollah Entezami and Saberi's daughter Pupak Saberi.

Morteza Ahmadi

Awards were then handed to the winners of the live music concerts and theater performances sections.

From amongst the participating films, awards were presented in the categories of best actor, director, screenwriter and producer.

The best screenwriter award went to Peiman Qasemkhani, and Farhad Aiish received the best actor award.

Farhad Aiish

Dariush Mehrjuii received the best director award, and Yadollah Samadi received the best producer award.

Actors Hamid Jebelli and Iraj Tahmasb were also honored for their lifetime activities in the genre of children's comedy films.

Hamid Jebelli and Iraj Tahmasb

Cosponsored by the Gol Aqa Magazine and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance's Department of Cinematic Affairs, the festival took place from December 7 to 10 at the Honar Cultural Center.

About 30 films produced between 1979 and 2006 were screened during the event, and meetings and workshops on the theme of Iranian comedy were also held on the sidelines.

Alireza-Khamseh

See more photos on ISNA's web site

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