Iranian films have garnered a total of 12 nominations at the 2026 Love International Film Festival (LIFF), scheduled to take place from September 16 to 20 in California, United States.

Among the notable contenders, "Aye-Aye," written and directed by Siamak Kashefazar, earned three nominations including Best Feature Film, alongside submissions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China. Kashefazar is also nominated for Best Writer for his work on the film, while Mojgan Safari received a nomination for Best Actress for her role in the production.

Another prominent Iranian entry, "Dream of Liberation," directed by Abbas Rafei, received three nominations as well. Rafei is up for Best Director, with Behrouz Panahandeh and Parivash Javidi nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

"The Last Message," directed by Sattar Mansouri, secured two nominations: Hedayatullah Sajjadi for Best Actor and Reza Raoufi for Best Score. Additionally, “Mi Re Do” by Persin Ramezani is in contention for Best Short Film, while “Holy Heavenes” by Farnoosh Abedi and Negah Khezre is nominated in the Best Short Animation category.

In the Best Feature Documentary category, Iran has two entries: "Twilight of the Oak," directed by Mohammad Abedi, and “A Beginning for the Final Song of a River,” by Meysam Oghbaei. Both works demonstrate the country’s growing presence across diverse cinematic formats at the festival.

The Love International Film Festival emphasizes its mission to use cinema as a tool to foster global unity and understanding. Organizers highlight the role of film in transcending national boundaries and promoting creative collaboration, even when addressing challenging or somber themes. By showcasing international films, the festival seeks to acknowledge the artistic efforts of filmmakers worldwide and to underscore the medium’s power to educate, inform, and inspire audiences across cultures.