ARC Urges Iran to Lift Travel Ban on Iranian Actress
Iran
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 February 2025
(NEW YORK) – ARC is alarmed by reports that Iranian actress Soheila Golestani was banned by Iranian authorities from traveling to the Netherlands on January 30, 2025, where she was set to serve as a jury member for the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Tiger Competition. Golestani had previously starred in The Seed of the Sacred Fig—a film by director Mohammad Rasoulof that won a Special Jury Prize at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar. ARC urges authorities to respect artists’ freedom of movement and participation in international cultural events.
“Golestani’s travel ban is the most recent in a string of restrictions against Iranian filmmakers, actors, and artists by the country’s authorities, said ARC Executive Director Julie Trébault. “Such travel bans curtail cultural exchange, cultural mobility, and freedom of movement, thus stifling the creative expression of Iranian artists. ARC calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately lift this arbitrarily imposed travel ban and ensure the safety and protection of Golestani.”
The Seed of the Sacred Fig director, Rasoulof, was previously sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison, along with corporal punishment. Golestani and the film’s male lead, both of whom remain in Iran, have faced repeated harassment and threats for their role in the film, including being banned from attending the premiere at Cannes last May.
ARC remains steadfast in its commitment to monitoring violations of artistic freedom in Iran and advocating for artists facing restrictions, harassment, or persecution for exercising their fundamental right to creative expression. We urge the international community to stand in solidarity with Iranian artists and to take meaningful action to protect their rights and artistic contributions.
About ARC
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing the right to artistic freedom worldwide. Founded in 2017, ARC works to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. By providing vital resources and support, ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors—whether for their artistic expression or the broader impact they have on cultural, social, and political issues.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Julie Trébault
Executive Director
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)
+1 646.860.5446