Iranian female director Magkan Elanlu was arrested and put in Qertesk Prison by the Iranian regime after her participation in mass anti-government protests that followed the murder of Mahsa Amini. As a documentary producer and photographer, Elanlu focuses on human rights issues in her works. She was now awarded the Special Human Rights Award at the Vienna Human Rights Film Festival.

AWARD DEDICATED TO ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTORS

Magkan Elanlu made the following statement in a message read out during the award ceremony: “I dedicate this award to the thousands of anonymous women of my land, who are sacrificing their lives in the streets to demand their most basic rights. I also dedicate this award to the thousands of brave and pro-freedom men who have taken to the streets alongside these women to show the world that defending women's rights is not a gender issue, but a fundamental principle of human rights. These heroes are not seeking fame or a title, they just want to be the children and heroes of their people. As I think of the glory of these people who have made history, I feel like a drop in an ocean right now. Please remember the names of these heroes one by one as part of Iran's magnificent history of resistance...”