Directed by Asghar Farhadi it was Iran’s first Oscar for best foreign film, and is just one of several critically-acclaimed movies that will show at the annual event, which kicks off on March 16.At the Oscars Farhadi described the win as a chance to celebrate a culture “hidden under the heavy dust of politics.”Amid talk of “war, intimidation and aggression” among politicians, he said, Iran is “spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics.”Farhadi added: “I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, the people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment.”Though the film, made under Iranian sensors, isn’t overly political, it deeply explores the complex social and religious codes of contemporary Iranian society. The film begins with the divorce dispute between a husband (Peyman Moadi) and wife (Leila Hatami), a situation that becomes far thornier when an argument leads to criminal charges.Its fellow Academy Award nominees, ‘Bullhead’, ‘Footnote’ and ‘In Darkness’, will also screen as part of BIFF’s World Cinema series.‘Wuthering Heights’, directed by Andrea Arnold is one of 12 features that will screen in the series. Ms Arnold’s short film ‘Wasp’, screened at BIFF 2004. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action).Also on offer are celebrated narrative features ‘Corpo Celeste’, ‘Declaration of War’, and ‘Where Do We Go Now?’ and four documentaries ‘Khodorkovsky’, ‘Putin’s Kiss’, ‘Whores’ Glory’ and ‘The Island President’.“The 2012 programme is notably reduced in comparison to prior years in response to the challenges presented by the current economy and resulting budgeting restraints, however there has been no compromise on quality,” David O’Beirne, the director of programming, said.“We have brought together a diverse selection of independent films to inspire and engage from across the globe so there really is something for everyone. We are delighted to have secured so many popular and critically-acclaimed features to screen at BIFF 2012, which is testimony to the increasing high regard in which Bermuda International film Festival is held by the film industry.”BIFF 2012 opens with ‘Darling Companion’, starring Academy Award winners Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline. It closes with the inspired romantic comedy ‘Hysteria’ starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy.The 2012 Bermuda Shorts programme will screen more than 40 shorts in competition from all around the world.There is also some home-grown talent in the mix the documentary ‘Trusting Train’ is about the Island’s unique methods of collecting and conserving rain water; ‘The Last/First Kiss’ was written and co-produced by Andrew Stoneham.BIFF 2012 sees the launch of two new sections, Masterworks and Modern Masters.Modern Masters features new works from contemporary directors, including, ‘We Need to Talk about Kevin’ which attracted a number of award nominations as did ‘Damsels in Distress’, ‘Into the Abyss’ and ‘The Day He Arrives’.The Masterworks section includes Best Documentary Feature Academy Award nominee, ‘Pina’. It is joined by ‘Le Havre’, ‘Once Upon a Time in Anatolia’ and ‘The Turin Horse’.The full BIFF 2012 Film Guide and schedule will be available online, www.biff.bm, on Wednesday.Tickets also go on sale that day at 11am at 75 Front Street in Hamilton, and online.BIFF runs through March 22.