Identification of key factors and drivers of the future of the film industry in Iran

Iran's film industry dates back more than 150 years. This art-industry is now part of the country's intangible cultural heritage. So, its preservation, survival, progress and promotion should be on the agenda of governments, private and semi-private sectors as well as experts in the field. To that end, approaches and drivers which are instrumental in the preservation of this industry should be thoroughly examined. Sixteen professors and experts specializing in various aspects of the film industry have arrived at consensus, in two rounds, on 18 factors based on Delphi method. In line with the PEST analysis, these factors are placed in four technological, political, sociocultural and economic categories. Technological factors: promotion of filmmaking capabilities through modern technology, and the pressure new forms of video content in digital media exert on the film industry. Political factors: efficacy of cinematic regulations, and the scope of freedom extended to civil and guild-related activities. Sociocultural factors: the visual and media literacy of the public, and freedom of speech in the country. Economic factors: financial transparency in filmmaking companies, and economic status of the film industry. “Access by the film crew to modern filmmaking technologies” and “freedom of speech in the country” are the biggest uncertainties in this field.