“Naghde Sinama” has started a new season. This program is broadcasted on channel 5 and hosted Parviz Karami, the advisor to the vice president for science and technology affairs, on its sixth episode to talk about the knowledge-based economy and “creative cinema”.

During the program, Karami described the legal process program and the basis for the formation of knowledge-based activities in various industries. In terms of cultural industries and cinema, he stated: the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs has two approaches to cinema and creative industries. The first approach is looking at this art-industry as a product and considering the influence of technology and innovation and establishment of tools to introduce knowledge-based activities. On the other hand, cinema is an industry, which is important for revenue generation.

Therefore, in addition to job creation for people, this industry generates added value and income for the country so that effective steps could be taken in this path by linking technology and innovation. In this regard, proper interactions have been made in the Vice-Presidency to follow the large market of cultural and creative industries in cinema.

The head of the information and communication center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs continued: meanwhile, there has been constructive interactions between the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs and the cinema industry.

Although Iranian cinema has a good position in the world and has won prestigious international awards such as the Oscars, being an individual and artist-centered is one of its challenges. The lack of companies, studios and film accelerators is one of the disadvantages of this field in the country.

An Ecosystem to Boost Technological Activities

The secretary of the knowledge-based economy and culture-building technologies development headquarter continued: the knowledge-based economy ecosystem is a term heard frequently these days, which is due to the efforts made by the Vice-Presidency in this field. In fact, extensive efforts have been made to perform technological activities in the ecosystem with the help of universities, knowledge-based companies, science and technology parks, startups, and growth centers.

The advisor to the vice president for science and technology affairs pointed out that ecosystem must come from the heart of art and cinema industry of Iran, explaining: of course, preliminary steps have been taken to do this, which must be strengthened and accelerated. Just as we have examples in the field of technology such as "Silicon Valley" and everyone is looking to emulate it, there are similar successful experiences in cinema in Hollywood and Bollywood.

Karami also marked: currently, the world's most successful films are offered in a value chain with by-products. However, we produce “Kolah Ghermezi” but fail to introduce secondary products of this character to the market. The dispute between IRIB and creators of this character has led to the development of the worst shapes of the character and poorly shaped dolls in the market by abusers. In the ecology of cultural and creative industries, just like other industries, experts in each field are present and active in their place.

The creative industries market is in the hands of technological companies

Pointing out the area of creative industries in the world, he mentioned that these companies control the market and nothing is based on circulars. In this regard, he added: we must witness this in Iran as well. Of course, a tool is needed to achieve that. The entry of various cinematic classes into the formation of this ecosystem is one of these tools. Collective work centers, startups, innovation centers and accelerators should be formed in this field, and this should be done by prominent figures or celebrities in the field of cinema.

Regarding solutions to implement these ideas, Karami affirmed: in this regard, a committee must be formed to monitor activities in the field and form the ecosystem as a pilot in cities of the country. IRIB and Khane Cinema can introduce and advertise these activities. Today, we have good companies in the field of animation that can be an example of this approach.

“Naghde Sinama” is produced by Yousef Bajari and is broadcasted Friday nights on channel 5.