Payam Shokouhirad’s short animated film Charm has been officially selected for the 16th edition of the Animare Cartoon Film Festival in Italy.
The short animation Charm, written and directed by Iranian filmmaker Payam Shokouhirad, has been selected for the 2026 Animare Cartoon Film Festival, an international festival dedicated to animated short films for children and young audiences.
The 16th edition of Animare took place from June 18 to June 26, 2026, in Bertinoro, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with open-air screenings held across Bertinoro and its surrounding communities. The programme included screenings at the historic Rocca di Bertinoro, the Santa Maria Nuova Sports Centre, and Piazza Colitto in Fratta Terme.
Charm was officially listed in the festival’s ANIMARE Official Selection alongside animated short films from a number of countries. The film is credited as a 2025 Iranian production, with a running time of 4 minutes and 23 seconds.
A distinctive feature of Animare is its children’s jury: young spectators between the ages of 3 and 13 take part in evaluating the films and selecting their favourite work. The festival’s winning film receives the Luminòr trophy.
Organised by Sedicicorto Forlì International Film Festival, Animare has been held since 2010 and presents international animated shorts in an open-air festival setting, bringing independent animation closer to young audiences and families.
For Charm, the selection at Animare 2026 adds another international festival appearance to the film’s journey and continues its presence within the international animation circuit.
Film Details
Title:Charm
Year: 2025
Country: Iran
Duration: 4:23
Writer & Director: Payam Shokouhirad
Festival: Animare Cartoon Film Festival 2026
Edition: 16th Edition
Location: Bertinoro, Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Festival Dates: June 18–26, 2026
Related Links
• Animare Cartoon Film Festival — 2026 Edition
• Animare Cartoon Film Festival — Visit Bertinoro