America's Leading Filmmakers Call for the Release of Jafar Panahi

According to a new press release, America's top names in film, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Moore, Ang Lee and Oliver Stone have all called for Jafar Panahi's release from Evin prison.

This joint statement by American film artists is bound to have a huge impact on the campaign to free imprisoned director Jafar Panahi. News is also breaking at ABC and other major media outlets now. From the press release just issued:

AMERICA'S LEADING FILMMAKERS CALL FOR RELEASE OF IMPRISONED IRANIAN DIRECTOR JAFAR PANAHI

Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Francis Ford Coppola, Terrence Malick, Steven Soderbergh, the Coen Bros., Jim Jarmusch, Michael Moore, Ang Lee, Robert De Niro, and Oliver Stone, among other leading film industry figures, have condemned the detention of Jafar Panahi, the acclaimed director of "The White Balloon" and "Offside," and are urging the Iranian government to release him.

All of the above filmmakers have also signed a corresponding petition with the same demands. If you're not quite sure who Jafar Panahi is, I've just posted his entire story leading up to today at Digital Journal not two hours ago: "The Nightmare Story of Jafar Panahi." With this news, Mr. Panahi's nightmare may yet be alleviated. I'm also starting to get feedback from many Iranians I know on Facebook who are absolutely ecstatic at this news. A very heartening stand by Hollywood's Best for a true icon of world cinema.