Hollywood petitions for release of Iranian director

A host of Hollywood heavyweights, including Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro and Francis Ford Coppola, have signed a petition demanding the release of jailed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

"We stand in solidarity with a fellow filmmaker, condemn this detention, and strongly urge the Iranian government to release Mr. Panahi immediately," said the petition, which was posted on several movie internet sites late Friday.

"Iran's contributions to international cinema have been rightfully heralded, and encouraged those of us outside the country to respect and cherish its people and their stories.

The petition also signed by Michael Moore, Robert Redford, Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese says Iran's filmmakers should be "celebrated, not censored."

Panahi was taken away by security forces on March 1 after they raided his home during a dinner party.

The director is known for his socially critical films such as Crimson Gold and The Circle, which captured the Golden Lion in at the 2000 Venice Film Festival.

He also won the Silver Bear and a grand jury prize at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2006 for Offside, which concerned a group of female soccer fans who sneak in to see a men's match.

In February, the authorities refused to let him leave the country to attend the Berlinfestival after he appeared wearing green, the colour of the opposition, at a Montreal film festival.

"The arrest of Jafar Panahi is not because he is an artist or for political reason," prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi told Iran's Isna news agency.

Panahi has supported the opposition to hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was re-elected last June.

Iran's culture minister has said the director was arrested for making an anti-regime film.

Several countries, including Canada, have called for his release.