Maryam Tafakory, the Iranian artist and filmmaker, has emerged victorious this year by winning the prestigious Film London Jarman Award 2024. The award, which acknowledges and celebrates the remarkable talent within the UK film industry, was announced on November 25, during an exhilarating ceremony held at the upscale Soho Hotel, London.
Tafakory received the award, along with a monetary prize of £10,000, from renowned actor Rupert Everett. This marks the 17th iteration of the Jarman Award, which is presented annually to honor UK-based artists and filmmakers working innovatively with moving images.
Honorably named after the iconic British filmmaker Derek Jarman, the award is administered by Film London. Each year, it showcases the unique voices of those whose works are rooted deeply within the cultural and historical frameworks of their identities. The significance of this recognition for Tafakory reflects her compelling contribution to the arts, especially as she explores the intersection of cinema and live performance.
Hailing from Iran, Tafakory draws from her experiences and the repressive cinematic traditions of her home country to produce works rich with emotion and narrative depth. Her artistic practice revolves around creating poignant visual collages using archival material, particularly focusing on the narratives surrounding censorship and intimacy, themes intimately connected to post-revolutionary Iran.
Among her notable works is 2020's Irani Bag, where she employs a split-screen approach to analyze the portrayal of handbags as metaphors for human touch—highlighting the disconnect created by censorship. This work critiques how physical expression is often curtailed under the strictures of Iranian societal norms.
Her 2022 film, Nazarbazi, presents another layer of her artistic exploration by tackling love and desire cascading through the constraints of Iranian cinema, where intimate interactions between men and women are either absent or suppressed. The film intricately layers diverse narratives, archival text, and imagery to engage with the audience's perception of erased identities.
The most recent addition to her repertoire is Razeh-del (2024), which tells the story of "Zan"—the first Iranian women’s magazine launched for just under one year before its ban. The film weaves together aspects of two schoolgirls who wrote to the magazine, envisioning making their stories visible through film.
Matthew Barrington, the Cinema Curator at the Barbican and spokesperson for the judging panel, commended Tafakory, stating her work is “a compelling exploration of displacement, memory and resistance.” He emphasized the way her films deftly navigate through avenues of historical and personal trauma, manifesting her Iranian cultural identity beautifully through visual storytelling.
Not only has Tafakory’s work been acknowledged for its depth, but it has also earned its place on international stages. Her films have drawn attention at various prestigious venues, including MoMA (New York), the National Gallery of Art (Washington DC), and film festivals like Cannes and Toronto. This broad reception emphasizes the universal resonance of her narratives and artistry.
The Film London Jarman Award serves as both a platform and springboard for emergent talent. Past winners have included artists who have gone on to achieve recognition, including nominations for the Turner Prize. Tafakory's win places her alongside these luminaries and signifies her contribution to the future of cinematic arts.
Among the other artists shortlisted for this year's honor were Larry Achiampong, Maeve Brennan, Melanie Manchot, Rosalind Nashashibi, and Sin Wai Kin. While each artist brought their distinct voices and styles to the table, Tafakory’s powerful storytelling approach earned her the esteemed accolade this year.
With this recognition and the cash prize to aid her continued exploration of these complex themes, Maryam Tafakory embodies the innovation and creativity celebrated by the Film London Jarman Award. Her director and artist path signals to audiences and fellow filmmakers alike about the possibilities within the moving image medium when cultural narratives intersect with personal histories.
Moving forward, Film London remains committed to fostering new talent, especially as it celebrates its 20th anniversary year. The Jarman Award continues to be pivotal, spotlighting artists' moving image work, enhancing public engagement and appreciation within the cultural fabric of the UK.
For film enthusiasts, Tafakory's compelling films will be showcased at the Whitechapel Gallery on November 30 and December 1 from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. This free event provides audiences with the chance to immerse themselves within the evocations of intimacy, memory, and the often-silenced narratives of Iranian cinema borne from Tafakory's innovation.
