In addition to the Special Jury Prize, The Seed of the Sacred Fig was honoured with the International Film Critics' Prize (FIPRESCI Prize), the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, the "Prix François Chalais" and the "Prix des Cinémas Art et Essai".

Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: "Congratulations to Mohammad Rasoulof in Cannes! He has risked a lot, almost everything, in his home country to make films in which he sharply criticises the inhumanity of the fundamentalist Iranian regime. The fact that he was awarded the Special Jury Prize for his new film and was able to accept the prize in person after his dramatic escape is also a symbol that art and humanity can prevail. It shows us once again how important it is for artists to be able to work freely. I hope that 'The seed of the sacred fig' will now carry this important message out into the world and wish Mohammad Rasoulof a safe arrival in Europe. I would like to expressly thank MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein for its unwavering support of his cinematic work."

Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "I don't think we can imagine what Mohammad Rasoulof had to go through to make this film. "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" is an exceptional film that was produced under exceptional conditions - and with all its power has now quite rightly received the Special Jury Prize in Cannes. I am overjoyed that Mohammad Rasoulof was able to attend the premiere of his film after a dangerous escape from Iran. Congratulations to the entire team around him and the Hamburg-based Executive Producers Mani Tilgner and Rozita Hendijanian!"

About the film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig"
Rasoulof's political family drama "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" was produced by the Hamburg-based production company Run Way Pictures and financially supported by MOIN Film Fund. Also involved from the Hanseatic city: editor Andrew Bird ("Soul Kitchen", "Tschick", "Into the Fate") as well as Optical Art and Loft Studios for post production. The film is about investigating judge Iman, who works at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. As the nationwide political protests against the authoritarian government intensify, he is surrounded by mistrust and paranoia. One day, Iman is given a gun to protect himself and his family. Shortly afterwards, it disappears from his house, but there is no trace of a break-in. The film sheds light on the hidden layers of the personalities of the individual family members.

In 2017, Mohammad Rasoulof's film "A Man of Integrity" won the main prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. In 2020, his drama "There is no evil" won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale.