Screening Vortex movie at Khane Cinema
Parisa Ahadian: The “Night of the Asiatic Cheetah,” hosted at the Saifollah Dad Hall of the House of Cinema, brought together environmental advocates, filmmakers, and wildlife experts to spotlight one of the world’s most endangered species. Organized in collaboration with the Iranian Wildlife Documentarians Association, the Biodiversity Society, and the Documentary Producers Association, the evening revolved around the screening of the thought-provoking documentary Vortex by Fathollah Amiri.
The event began with an introduction by Leila Fouladvand, who outlined the critical state of the Asiatic cheetah. “Once roaming vast regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and India, the Asiatic cheetah now clings to survival in a handful of habitats across Iran,” she remarked. Despite two decades of conservation efforts, she highlighted that fewer than 17 cheetahs remain in the wild, including 10 cubs and 7 adults, all confined to areas in Yazd, South Khorasan, Kerman, and Semnan provinces. Fouladvand’s discussion underscored the ongoing threats of habitat destruction, road collisions, and declining prey populations, despite measures like monitoring cameras and protective fencing.
Following the screening, Amiri, the film’s director, shared his experiences and insights into the cheetah’s plight, revealing the challenges of documenting a species on the brink of extinction. Other speakers, including Hamid Zahrabi, Bagher Nezami, and Saeed Yousefpour, provided updates on ongoing conservation projects and the immense efforts required to protect this majestic species. They emphasized the importance of funding, habitat restoration, and collaboration with local communities and private sectors to create a sustainable future for the Asiatic cheetah.
The event was not only a cinematic journey into the struggles of this iconic species but also a powerful call to action, highlighting the need for collective efforts to save the Asiatic cheetah from disappearing forever.
