Iranian film director scoops award at Cannes In the history of the Cannes film festival there have been many firsts. At the 65th gathering of the international community of actors, directors and producers there has been another. It is the award of the European Union media prize and the announcement of the winner, Asghar Farhadi the Iranian film director and screenwriter. He scooped the prize for the proposals he put forward for his next film. Well I am so happy about this award. First of all, I want to say thanks to the EU Media because it's the first time that they decided to make the award in this way from the proposals which they received," said Asghar Farhadi. The director who was an award winner at the Berlin Film Festival for his films, "About Elly" and "A Separation" will shoot his winning project in Europe. It is the first time someone from outside the EU has scooped the award. Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth explained why he won. "Because the Iranian Asghar Farhadi has set up a European production company and they are putting up this project which will be a European film with European casting," she said. Our correspondent, Wolfgang Spindler in Cannes said, "The EU has supported Asghar Farhadi's project with a prize of 60,000 euros. Apparently the film will be a thriller set in Paris and for film buffs it is a time of suspense waiting for the release date. More about: Awards, Cannes Film Festival 2012, Cinema, EU-Iran