Statement by the Secretary of the International Resistance Film Festival on the Occasion of the Funeral and Burial Ceremony of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei (May His Soul Rest in Peace)

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

“And never think of those who have been slain in the way of God as dead. Rather, they are alive, receiving sustenance from their Lord.” (Qur'an 3:169)

In the name of the God of the martyrs, the God of resistance, the God of those who bound a life of dignity to a death of martyrdom.

My dear brothers and sisters in the world of art,

Filmmakers of the Resistance across the globe; tireless storytellers of moments forged in fire and faith; you who have stripped away the mask of arrogance with the camera of truth and revealed the dignity of the oppressed—

As we stand on the threshold of bidding farewell to Iran's martyred leader, with hearts filled with profound sorrow and spirits uplifted by immeasurable pride, I extend both my condolences and my congratulations on the heartrending martyrdom of the beloved commander of hearts, the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, to you and to all freedom-seekers and justice-loving people throughout the world.

We rise in epic mourning for a standard-bearer who, at the pinnacle of steadfastness, joined the caravan of martyrs while keeping the torch of resistance alight until his final breath atop the minaret of this Husseini Revolution—a beacon whose radiance shall never fade.

We regard the martyrdom of this history-shaping man not as a tragedy, but as an epic triumph and a magnificent victory. It was the destiny worthy of a life devoted entirely to struggle in the path of God; for he lived in the spirit of Imam Husayn, struggled in the spirit of Imam Husayn, led in the spirit of Imam Husayn, and ultimately departed this world in the spirit of Imam Husayn.

But who was this martyred Imam, and what did he accomplish?

He was a leader carved from the lineage of mountains—unshaken before storms, yet compassionate before the tears of the orphaned children of the martyrs of Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. In the turbulent decades following the passing of Imam Khomeini, he not only safeguarded the Islamic Revolution from deviation and the tempests of conspiracy, but also elevated it to unprecedented strength and spiritual influence within the hearts of Muslim nations.

The story of his life cannot be contained in a single sentence:

He transformed Islamic Awakening from a slogan into a global movement. From Bahrain to Yemen, from Iraq to Syria, and from Gaza to Afghanistan, his inspiring voice kept alive the cry of “Hayhat minna al-dhillah”—“Never shall we accept humiliation.”

He never retreated before global arrogance, turning resistance to the United States from a political principle into a public culture.

He defined the Resistance Economy as a civilizational strategy designed to restore the dignity of sanctioned and oppressed nations through self-reliance and independence.

Above all, he redefined leadership not behind the desks of power, but among the fighters, at the front lines of cultural, scientific, and military struggle, and in the midst of the people.

At the same time, he was a visionary Islamic jurist, an accomplished poet, and a distinguished master of strategy and statecraft. His profound interpretation of the Qur'an, his strategic understanding of global developments, and his extraordinary patience under relentless political and media pressure made him a rare model among the world's leaders.

Few political and spiritual leaders of the contemporary era have shown as much commitment to revolutionary art—and particularly to Resistance Cinema—as he did. Ayatollah Khamenei repeatedly emphasized:

“If cinema serves truth, justice, and the struggle against oppression, it can be more effective than thousands of declarations and speeches.”

It was he who, during and after the imposed war, consistently stressed the necessity of producing artistic works—especially films—to preserve and promote the culture of sacrifice and martyrdom. He stood unwaveringly beside filmmakers who refused compromise despite sanctions and cultural obstacles.

The martyred leader continually called upon filmmakers of the Resistance to:

“Present the image of oppressed people to the world through the language of art.”

“Create enduring cinematic heroes from the anonymous champions of the Resistance.”

“Do not allow Zionist Hollywood cinema to appropriate the true narrative.”

He constantly supported the flourishing movement of Resistance Cinema and encouraged those who dedicated themselves to it. The names of many committed filmmakers of the Islamic Revolution were frequently mentioned by him, and he repeatedly insisted:

“Those directors who devote their hearts, souls, and talents to Resistance Cinema must be supported.”

Indeed, the martyred leader regarded the artist as a soldier on the front line of the struggle to illuminate the truth, and Resistance Cinema not merely as a cinematic genre, but as a strategic necessity in confronting the enemy's multidimensional assault.

Today, as the faithful and revolutionary nation prepares to carry the pure body of this martyred warrior amid tears of epic grief, I call upon all artists who stand against oppression, all seekers of justice, and all those committed to truth—especially the great family of Resistance Cinema throughout the world—to participate in the farewell ceremony for this Husseini guide of our time.

Let your presence add to the grandeur of this historic gathering and demonstrate to the world that the martyrdom of such a leader marks not the end of a path, but the beginning of a new chapter of awakening and struggle.

Together, in this solemn epic unfolding during the sacred month of Muharram—where love for Imam Husayn is inseparably joined with love for our Husseini leader—we shall mourn, our eyes filled with tears and our hearts burning with the longing for justice. We shall raise the banner of resistance above his rain-soaked resting place, renew our covenant with him, and continue his path: supporting the Axis of Resistance, bearing witness to the suffering of Palestine, exposing global arrogance, and creating works that keep the flame of faith alive in the hearts of present and future generations.

Let us remember his words:

“The art of the Revolution is the art that keeps the ideals of the martyrs alive... And keeping the memory of the martyrs alive is no less significant than martyrdom itself.”

Peace be upon him on the day he was born, the day he was martyred, and the day he shall be raised alive.

Jalal Ghaffari Ghadir Secretary of the 19th International Resistance Film Festival