APSA Academy Member, Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi, has been jailed for six years and banned from writing scripts or making films for 20 years.
Jafar was convicted of “Gathering, colluding and propaganda against the regime in Iran.”
APSA Chairman Des Power expressed concern and disappointment that a filmmaker has been dealt with in this way.
“It is a shameful abuse of freedom and a cruel way to punish one of the world’s most important filmmakers,” said Mr Power.
Jafar was on the first jury of APSA in 2007.
This year, APSA and the Motion Pictures Association announced a $100,000 Film Development Fund. Jafar was an applicant for one of the $25,000 grants, one of which was awarded to fellow APSA Academy Member Asghar Farhadi of Iran.
“I believe APSA Academy Members would share my disappointment and deep concern over the treatment of their colleague,” said Mr Power.