At the closing hours of Day 8 at the Fajr Film Festival, the IMA Animation Studio team held a press session for their ambitious new feature, BABAEI – Wish to Fly. The gathering brought together creative leads and key collaborators: directors Hossein Safarzadegan and Meysam Hosseini, producer Mohammad Mehdi Mashkoori, writer Meqdad Akhavan, and composer Pouya Safa.

A Journey from Beloved Series to Big-Screen Dream

Producer Mashkoori shared how the idea for the film originated from Babaei, their highly popular 2D TV series on IRIB Kids. “We built BABAEI – Wish to Fly for the same loyal young audience,” he said, adding that while the high production expectations for teens are tough, creating a high-quality animated film for children is what truly drives them.

The Challenges Behind Animation Production

Director Safarzadegan described the complexity of animation: “Every stage is crucial, but managing a team of hundreds over multiple years is uniquely challenging.”
Co-director Hosseini revealed the technical foundation is mostly 3D, with some 2D segments to enrich moments visually. He also noted using new project-management software, while lamenting that many talented Iranian animators have chosen to work abroad.

Vision, Storytelling & Music

Writer Akhavan outlined his goal: “I wanted BABAEI to inspire hope — that even a small character can dream big and reach for the sky.”
Composer Safa explained how he shaped the film’s soundscape, combining a large creative team, fantasy-driven musical lines, and even artificial intelligence integration — all while keeping the tone both childlike and globally accessible.

A Global Outlook

Mashkoori confirmed that international distribution talks are underway. The team deliberately wove universal elements into design and story, believing BABAEI’s message can resonate far beyond Iran.

Looking Ahead

If public response stays strong, the IMA team is ready to explore a sequel and a series adaptation of the same world — continuing its mission to inspire young minds everywhere.