From Tajmir to the heart of Europe; "Dutok" documentary in the global competition

Birjand - The documentary "Dotok" will be screened in the competitive section of the 30th Jihlava International Documentary Festival in the Czech Republic, in the heart of Europe.

According to the reporter of Mehr, the presence of the documentary "Dotuk" in the competitive section of the 30th Jihlava International Documentary Festival in the Czech Republic and its screening in this festival once again proved the capacity of South Khorasan artists to produce works of art that can be presented in international festivals.

The producer and director of the "Dotok" documentary, Birjandi, in a conversation with the Mehr reporter, regarding the production of the "Dotok" documentary and its entry into the competitive section of the 30th Jihlava International Documentary Festival in the Czech Republic, said: "Dotok"'s entry into the Jihlava International Documentary Festival in the Czech Republic is an international presence that can be a new opportunity to see the indigenous culture of South Khorasan province, Tajmir village and traditional puppets. This region provides in the world arena.

Hadi Sabet noted: The International Documentary Festival of Jihlava Czech is one of the important events of European documentary cinema and one of the most prestigious gatherings in this field in Central and Eastern Europe, which will be held from October 23 to November 1, 2026 in the Czech Republic.

He further stated: The 30th edition of this festival hosts more than 350 films in competitive and non-competitive sections.

Regarding the documentary "Dotok", he added: "Dotok" takes the audience to the village of Tajmir in the south of South Khorasan; Where life is affected by successive droughts and 120-day strong winds of Sistan, and the making of hand-embroidered dotuk dolls, in addition to connecting with local traditions and rituals, has become one of the few ways to earn money for the people of the region.

Stating that these dolls, which once gained meaning in the context of local beliefs and rituals, today are on the border between preserving cultural heritage and becoming a commodity for livelihood, Thabit reminded: This film is not only the story of making a few local dolls, but is an attempt to record part of the cultural memory of people whose lives, beliefs and traditions have had less opportunity to be seen in the world media.

He added: In a world where many indigenous traditions are gradually losing color under the pressure of economic, social and climatic changes, documentary cinema can provide an opportunity to record, recognize and transfer this heritage to future generations.

The director of the documentary "Dotok" further stated about the importance of the presence of the documentary "Dotok" in the Short Joy competitive section: By participating in this festival, it will be possible for this local narrative to meet audiences beyond the borders of Iran.

According to him, the works of the competitive part of this festival will be available for free on the DAFilms platform for two weeks before the start of the festival, and the winner of this competition will be chosen by the audience's vote. This opportunity can bring the voice of the people of Tajmir to a new audience and draw more attention to the dolls that have preserved a part of the cultural identity of this region.

Thabit pointed out that the international presence of "Dutok" is more than a festival success, it is an opportunity for the life and culture of people who are less in the center of attention. An opportunity for the story of a remote village in the south of South Khorasan to be discussed with the world and a forgotten heritage to be seen and heard once again.

He added: "Dotuk" started from Tajmir, but its story crossed the borders of Iran with the production and screening of this documentary.