Draft:Fotros Media Study Center

Fotros Media Study Center

The logo of the center
Founded	2008
Type	Cultural
Focus	Introducing Islamic and Shia culture to the world
Location	Iran
Products	Short and feature films about Islamic and Shia culture
Mission	Reminding the Shia community of its identity • Fighting religious extremism • Interfaith dialogue
Website	http://fotrosmedia.com

The Fotros Media Study Center (Persian: مرکز مطالعات رسانه‌ای فُطرُس), commonly known as Fotros Media, is an Iranian cultural institution established in 2008. The center is dedicated to producing short and feature-length films that explore Islamic and Shia culture. Its stated objectives include reaffirming the identity of the Shia community, combating religious extremism, and fostering interfaith dialogue.

In addition to producing films that highlight prominent figures in Islam and Shi'ism—such as Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a), Lady Khadija (a), Wahid Bihbahani, and Hasan Shahata—Fotros Media has released documentaries examining contemporary and historical topics, including ISIS, the Yamani movement, and the 1216/1802 Wahhabi attack on Karbala. Furthermore, the center has curated photography exhibitions in Iran documenting the Arba'in Walk.

Activities and Works

To introduce Islamic and Shia culture to a global audience, Fotros Media engages in various multimedia initiatives. These include the production of documentaries and feature films, as well as the curation of international photography exhibitions centered on the Arba'in Walk in Iran.

Film and Documentary Production

The Fotros Media Study Center has produced over thirty short and feature-length documentaries; notable examples include:

• Fatimiyya in the Church (Persian: فاطمیه در کلیسا): Explores a historical document regarding the martyrdom of Lady Fatima (a) found in Christian sources.
• Here Time Has Stopped (Persian: اینجا زمان ایستاده): Addresses ISIS extremism and the rise of Islamophobia in Europe.
• The Attack on Karbala (Arabic: الهجوم على كربلاء): An Arabic-language film depicting the Wahhabi attack on Karbala in 1216/1802.
• The Claimant (Arabic: المدعي): A 10-part Arabic documentary series investigating false claimants of the advent, with a specific focus on the Yamani movement.
• Al-Wahid al-Bihbahani (Arabic: الوحيد البهبهاني): An Arabic-language documentary detailing the efforts of Wahid Bihbahani to revive Usul al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) and marginalize Akhbarism.
• A short documentary exploring the station of al-Abbas (a) in Albania.
• Queen of Islam (Persian: ملکه اسلام): A Persian documentary chronicling the life of Lady Khadija (a) and her unwavering support for the Prophet (s).
• Hasan Shahata: A Persian film examining the life and martyrdom of the prominent Egyptian Shia scholar Hasan Shahata.
• Blood, Tears, Sky (Persian: خون، اشک، آسمان): A Persian documentary investigating the veracity of historical accounts regarding the rain of blood on the Day of Ashura.
• Earthen Agate (Persian: عقیق خاکی): A Persian documentary series exploring the lives of prominent Shia scholars, such as Sayyid Ahmad Faqih Imami.

Arba'in Walk Photo Exhibition

In 2018, the Fotros Media Study Center invited photographers from England and Italy to Iran to exhibit their work, which visually captured their experiences during the Arba'in Walk. Subsequently, in 2019, the center organized an exhibition in Tehran featuring the work of two Christian photographers from Spain, showcasing their unique perspectives on the Arba'in pilgrimage.