News Center- PEN America has published an open letter signed by 30 film organizations, festivals and professionals. The letter calls on Iranian authorities to immediately drop all charges against Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha as well as lift the travel ban on them.

The signatories include the Berlinale, the Amsterdam-based International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk, and PEN America in New York.

In September 2023, Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha had planned to travel to Paris for post-production on My Favorite Cake; however, Iranian authorities confiscated their passports and informed them that they were banned from leaving Iran. They were also notified that they would stand trial.

“We fervently urge the Iranian authorities to cease the relentless persecution of filmmakers, writers, artists, musicians, and all who courageously articulate the aspirations, humanity, and dreams of the Iranian people,” the letter said.

“Now is the time for change, starting with Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghadam, whose latest film, My Favourite Cake, is believed to have angered the country’s hard-line Islamist authorities, although details of the charges have yet to be communicated.”

The letter also alluded to the cases of director Saeed Roustayi, who was sentenced this year to six-months in prison on charges of “anti-regime propaganda activity” for screening his film Leila’s Brothers at Cannes in 2022 without permission; jailed journalist and Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, and rapper Saman Yasin, who said he had been tortured while in jail.

“Filmmakers, writers, and other artists play an essential role in establishing free and vibrant societies, serving as architects of communication and collaboration and inspiring citizens to dream of better futures based on new possibilities and ideas. Instead of stifling their voices, governments must elevate and celebrate artists for their invaluable contributions to society,” the letter said.