The Iranian animated film "The Legend of Sepehr" began screening on August 26 in 89 cinemas across Russia, accompanied by a ceremony in Moscow commemorating 168 children killed in a missile attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, southern Iran. The attack occurred on February 28, the first day of a military confrontation involving the United States and Israel against Iran, which Iranian officials have described as a deliberate strike causing significant civilian casualties.
The opening event in Moscow was attended by Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, who highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of the schoolchildren who lost their lives. “This act of aggression was a great and painful crime,” Jalali stated, emphasizing that the victims’ remembrance should remain part of humanity’s collective memory. Jalali also noted that Iran’s forthcoming Cultural Days in Russia, scheduled for October in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Kazan, would include the participation of an artistic group of 168 members to honor the victims.
The ceremony also featured Iranian cultural counsellor Abdolreza Rashed and Russian film industry figures, including Konstantin Yulkin, CEO of Russian World Vision (RWV), and Vyacheslav Sengayevsky, CEO of Kianosh Impex, the company responsible for dubbing, promoting, and distributing the film in Russia. Yulkin described the animated movie as a quality production for children and expressed condolences to the families of those affected by the missile strike. Sengayevsky stressed the significance of cultural exchanges between Iran and Russia, viewing such collaborations as bridges fostering friendship amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Directed by Emad Rahmani and Mehrdad Mehrabi and produced by Mehdi Jafari Jozani, "The Legend of Sepehr" is a family adventure animation that follows a young Iranian teenager named Sepehr on a quest to save his family and homeland from darkness. The narrative blends elements of fantasy, courage, and humor, featuring Sepehr and his loyal cheetah companion Baboo battling the dark force Ahriman. The film has been recognized internationally, having received the Best Animation award at the New York International Film Awards in 2025.
The release represents a continuation of Iranian animation’s presence in the Russian market, following the earlier introduction of titles like "Dolphin Boy." A Russian-language trailer is also available on Kinopoisk, a prominent Russian streaming and cinema platform.
The missile strike on the Minab school remains a highly charged and contentious issue. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of targeting a civilian institution, resulting in 168 deaths and over 90 injuries among children and staff. This incident has become a focal point of Iranian narratives surrounding the military campaign and has been evoked in various cultural commemorations associated with the conflict.
Russia’s involvement in screening the film and hosting events marking the tragedy underlines ongoing cultural ties between the two countries amid broader geopolitical tensions. The collaborative effort highlights how art and film are being used to memorialize victims while fostering bilateral cultural relations.