Merila Zarei is an Iranian actress. She is one of the most influential actresses after the Islamic Revolution of Iran, who has appeared in the films of renowned directors such as Asghar Farhadi, Ebrahim Hatami Kia, Pouran Derakhshandeh, Reza Attaran, Abbas Kia Rostami and Masoud Kimiaei.

Iran's annual Fajr International Film Festival, or Fajr Film Festival, has been held every February in Tehran since 1983.The festival is supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. It takes place on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The awards are the Iranian equivalent to the American Academy Awards.